Russian Soldier Worries Putin Admin Will Prosecute Him After ‘Nazism’ Phone Call Leaks
KEY POINTS
- The soldier was heard saying he will personally cut a swastika on the foreheads of Ukrainian soldiers
- Ukraine's Security Service said the soldier is now using Google to search for Russian criminal code
- Klymenko is not the first Russian soldier to promote Nazism amid the invasion
A Russian soldier is reportedly worried about the possible punishment he could face from President Vladimir Putin’s administration after it was revealed that he supported Nazism, according to Ukraine’s Security Service.
On April 29, the agency released a recording of an intercepted phone call where Russian soldier Ivan Klymenko was heard saying he would shoot every Ukrainian soldier in the war and personally “cut a swastika” on their forehead with a knife.
“There will be battle. I’ll do what I wanted. I’ll shoot off everything I can,” the soldier told his mother. “I’ll cut swastika on the forehead. With a knife. Deliberately. I’ll personally cut it.”
The Security Service on Tuesday released another intercepted conversation where Klymenko was consulting his mother and his friends for opinions, adding that he is very worried that Ukraine’s agency posted about his call.
“A recording of a call with your mother in which you say that you will kill everyone. That you are a d*ckhead and people like you should be tried at international court. This, to put it mildly. There are your photos, your data,” a friend of his said.
“Why the hell did you write! Vanya, I told you a long time ago that service in the army is not a joke,” another friend said.
The Security Service added that Klymenko is now using Google to search Russian criminal code and understand what type of punishments he may get for promoting Nazism propaganda.
While the Swastika is an ancient symbol used in many different cultures, the symbol was made the centerpiece of the Nazi flag by Adolf Hitler in 1920. To this day, there are certain extremist groups using the swastika to promote hate. Additionally, the symbol has been banned in a number of countries, including Germany.
Klymenko is not the only soldier to promote Nazism amid the war in Ukraine. In mid-April, a member of the Russian mercenary group Task Force Rusich posted on Telegram a photo of himself and his colleague. In the caption, the soldier, who was identified as Yevgeny Rasskazov, celebrated the 133rd birthday of the late Hitler.
“Today is the birthday of our colleague and friend, who has become an example for many of us, despite his advanced age,” the soldier wrote. “His work and word lives in our hearts and inspires us to beat the Bolshevik scum and multiply the glory of great Russia!”
It is unclear if the soldier faced punishment for his promotion of Nazi views.
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