Wagner fighters' confessions to crimes in Ukraine will help bring Russia to justice

Venislavskyi shared the information at the Media Center.

The MP believes that Russia is unlikely to record the crimes of its military, but a public political confession, in particular by Wagner mercenaries, may in the future become an additional argument for bringing Russia, its military and political leadership, and Wagner PMC to justice in international courts and in Ukraine.

"This is possible only within the framework of, say, the evidence that the situation with the war in Ukraine allows us to collect. Naturally, we cannot interrogate this person on the territory of the Russian Federation, neither politically nor legally. Therefore, unfortunately, I cannot talk about any results of sensational confessions that will have direct legalization," Venislavskyi explained.

The member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence noted that the crimes of mercenaries and representatives of the Russian army in Ukraine are investigated under the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The information is recorded in the Register of Pre-trial Investigations, and law enforcement officers are conducting investigations.

"This is already enough for us to be able to bring such persons to justice in the future. And even by convicting in absentia, our judicial authorities will be able to pass guilty verdicts," the MP concludes.

In addition, the issue should be addressed by international institutions. "These are two parallel processes that do not exclude each other."

"We are doing what we can do under martial law and as part of the legal framework we are moving within. And international institutions are doing their job. It is undoubtedly important for us that the maximum number of experts be involved in such resonant statements and that they have the opportunity, including through international legal assistance, to help both Ukraine and the International Criminal Court bring such villains to justice," Venislavskyi added.

• On October 25, 2022, Ukrainian intelligence reported that Wagner PMC was massively recruiting Russian prisoners suffering from serious infectious diseases, including HIV and hepatitis C.  

• During the Senate hearings, US Attorney General Merrick Garland called Prigozhin a war criminal and Wagner PMC a terrorist organization.  

• The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that the crime situation in the temporarily occupied Crimea had worsened due to convicts who had fought in Wagner PMC, were amnestied and transferred to the peninsula.