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1/ Two soldiers from the Russian Far East are reported to have been arrested over the massacre of a Ukrainian family of nine in Volnavakha, Donetsk region. The killings are claimed to have been carried out "on domestic grounds", allegedly involving the sale of alcohol. ⬇️ 
2/ The massacre of the Kapkanets family took place while they were sleeping in their house, and was immediately attributed to military personnel equipped with silenced weapons and night vision equipment.
https://twitter.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/1718914087881519524
3/ Russia's Investigative Committee (roughly the equivalent of the FBI) published a 'wanted' poster identifying the suspects, who appear to have been caught on CCTV, as two people who "look to be about 30 years old, of thin build."
4/ "Tall, carrying automatic weapons, who on the night of 27 October 2023 to 28 October 2023, committed the murder of 9 people in the city of Volnovakha, Donetsk People's Republic, using firearms. These persons may be riding a red and white motorcycle of an unknown model."
5/ On 30 October, the Investigative Committee issued a statement saying it had been "possible to establish the identities of two men involved in the commission of this crime. They are Russian military personnel from the Far East, serving under a contract."
6/ According to preliminary data, the motive for the crime was a conflict on domestic grounds."
It's significant that the suspects are identified as contract (i.e. professional) soldiers, rather than mobilised men, who have often been less disciplined.
It's significant that the suspects are identified as contract (i.e. professional) soldiers, rather than mobilised men, who have often been less disciplined.
7/ Investigators are said to have been working on the theory that a member of the Kapanets family was involved in the sale of alcohol to soldiers. The VChK-OGPU Telegram channel reports that two possible motives have been advanced:
8/ "According to the first, the execution was carried out due to a conflict with dissatisfied customers or the military personnel were used as killers by competitors.
9/ According to the second version, the family was dealt with by “fighters against drunkenness in positions” from Wagner or “Kadyrov’s men.” This was supported by the testimony of neighbors who stated that “Kadyrov’s men on a motorcycle” came to the 'showdown.'"
10/ It remains to be seen which version (if either) is proved. The report that the men are from the Far East suggests that the Chechens – who are often blamed, sometimes unfairly, for all kinds of misconduct – may have been wrongly blamed.
11/ If the killings were indeed committed over the illicit sale of alcohol to Russian troops, it would not be surprising – drunkenness and drug use is reportedly widespread, with soldiers and Ukrainian civilians involved in illegal supply networks. /end
https://twitter.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/1709182299399467478
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