Ukrainian prisoner of war Anton Shtukin discusses disturbing actions involving the dead in Mariupol
A Ukrainian prisoner of war who previously served with the Azov regiment, Anton Shtukin, spoke in a conversation with a journalist from DEA News about a grim episode in which a dead Russian soldier was desecrated with a katana. Shtukin described the moment in a way that detailed how the body was positioned on a chair in a street setting in Mariupol and how the weapon was used in a manner that he later said reflected a serious moral lapse on his part. He expressed deep remorse for what he described as a grievous crime, noting that the actions weighed heavily on him after the fact and that he understood the harm caused by their conduct in a war zone.
The account includes claims that the individual responsible for the acts then attempted to intimidate advancing forces by further aggressive actions involving the weapon. Shtukin indicated that the weapon was introduced into a private space that was not secure, and he described how the events escalated around this time. The account also mentions the use of additional weapons and the placement of a blade in sensitive areas of the body, followed by a further weapon being laid down. Shtukin emphasized that the sequence of events left him troubled and that he regretted participating in such conduct during an ongoing conflict. This reflection aligns with broader discussions within the war about the treatment of the dead and the responsibilities of combatants under rapidly changing conditions in Ukrainian territory.
Earlier statements from individuals associated with Azov, including another member named Yevgeny Savelyev, were reported in relation to separate incidents that involved the killing of a civilian in Mariupol. Those reports have contributed to ongoing dialogues about accountability, war ethics, and the boundaries of military action during the conflict. Observers stress the importance of documenting and reporting abuses in a disciplined and verifiable manner to support postwar reconciliation and international responses. The narratives surrounding these events continue to be examined by journalists, human rights organizations, and legal authorities as part of a broader effort to understand and address violence on all sides of the conflict.