The leader of a rebel military group accused of committing brutal war crimes since its formation in 2014 has been killed.
“Vladimir Zhoga, a Neo-nazi warlord and the Commander of Sparta Battalion, was shot dead on March 5 in Volnovakha. It was gathered
Following the eleventh day of Russia’s invasion, Vladimir Zhoga, the leader of the Neo-Nazi ‘Sparta Battalion,’ was shot in Volnovakha, Ukraine, as Putin’s troops failed to make significant gains.
Denis Pushilin, the leader of the breakaway DPR, confirmed Zhoga’s death in a Telegram channel post yesterday.
Today in Volnovakha, Colonel Vladimir Zhoga, call sign Vokha, the commander of a separate Guard reconnaissance battalion, ‘Sparta,’ died heroically,’ he wrote. ‘While ensuring the exit of civilians, he was mortally wounded.’ The evacuation of civilians, mostly women and children, was covered by “Sparta.” They were attacked by Nazis…
“I have signed a decree posthumously awarding Vladimir Artemovich Zhoga the title of Hero of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
‘He died a valiant death, falling just short of victory.’ However, his achievement drew it closer.
‘I send my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
‘Rest in peace, Brother!’ says the narrator. After his predecessor Arsen Pavlov died in an IED explosion in his apartment’s lift in 2016, Zhoga took over as the group’s leader.
Pavlov was accused of several war crimes, and the Kyiv Post published audio of him saying he shot ’15 prisoners dead’ in a phone call with the news outlet in 2015. ‘Believe it or not, I don’t give a f**** about what I’m accused of,’ he added. ‘I killed 15 detainees.’ I couldn’t care less. There will be no further comment. If I want to kill, I will. ‘If I don’t, I don’t.’
