Russian general boasted about severed ears of Ukrainian prisoners—report

This article contains graphic details that may be disturbing.

Demurchiev, 49, is a senior officer, regarded as influential within the Russian military leadership. RFE/RL’s investigation said he has been invited to briefings with top commanders and was presented with a medal by Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov. He currently serves as deputy commander of the Russian 20th Combined Arms Army and helps oversee forces near Lyman, Donetsk Oblast.

According to the investigation, on Oct. 18, 2022, Demurchiev told several acquaintances that his unit had captured a fortified position after a three-day assault and that he had taken four Ukrainians prisoner. He also circulated extremely graphic photos that investigators say show severed, blackened human ears hung on a metal pipe.

One of those messages was sent to his wife, identified as Oleksandra. The exchanges included the following, translated by the investigators:

—

—

—   Wife: "Like pig ears with beer."

—

In the messages reviewed by reporters, Demurchiev did not specify where or under what circumstances the photo was taken. Investigators wrote that the context of his conversations with associates suggests the ears most likely belonged to Ukrainians, but it remains unclear whether they were removed from living or dead people.

Demurchiev answered a call from an RFE/RL correspondent but hung up after being asked about the treatment of prisoners, the report said.