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Russian defense chief summoned to Mariupol in war crimes investigation
 [Rusvesna] Russian Defense Minister General Sergey Shoigu has been summoned to attend an investigation by Ukraine's state security forces, according to Russian language media.The summons, issued by SBU investigator Taras Butenko, is investigating Shoigu for "the creation of paramilitary armed formations not provided for by law," which is a direct reference to the Russian speaking, Russian supported militia which took over parts of the Ukrainian oblasts Donetsk and Lugansk in 2014. Those actions which initially began in the Ukrainian city, then named Slavyansk, spread throughout the eastern parts of the two oblasts, after Ukrainian military and paramilitary forces, Russian separatists claimed, began using military weapons against the separatists. The leader of the separatists at the time was Igor Girkin, a reserve FSB colonel, who later also claimed a role in the Russian takeover of Crimea. The announcement follows a much earlier announcement, in 2016 when the then Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Yuriy Lutsenko, announced his intention to arrest Shoigu and 17 high-ranking Russians. The reaction from the Russian side has been predictable. Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev, characterized the summons as "senseless and ridiculous," according to the Russian language Novosti Novosti also reported that Director of the Institute of Newest States Alexei Martynov said, "This is a very strange decision..." Martynov went on: "Apparently, they hope that Minister Shoigu, together with three or four divisions, will arrive and thus their wishes will come true. In the sense that, "be afraid of your desires," the expert concluded. Posted by: badanov 2021-07-19 |
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