2015-05-25 18:04:00

Russia demands to see detained soldiers, rebel leader killed


(Vatican Radio) Russia's embassy in Ukraine says it has still not been given access to two Russian men who were detained by  Ukrainian government forces this month on suspicion of fighting alongside separatists in the eastern region of Luhansk. The latest controversy comes shortly after a key pro-Russian rebel leader was assassinated over the weekend. 

Click below to listen to correspondent Stefan Bos’ report:

The Russian Embassy confirmed Monday that it filed a formal request on May 19 for its consul to visit two detained Russian men held in a hospital where they are treated for battle wounds. Kiev claims the men worked as intelligence operatives under direct orders from Moscow.  In a move criticized by Europe's security organization OSCE, Ukraine's military released video footage of the two soldiers after parading then in front of media.  The video includes remarks made by a man identified as soldier Yevgeniy Yerofeyev. "When I was detained, frankly speaking, I thought they would kill me at once," he said.  "I wanted to blow myself up with a grenade, but my right hand would not obey me. I couldn't reach it. I failed. I tried with my left hand and failed," he recalled. "While I was doing that [Ukrainian] military came from the trenches and detained me. They put me on a stretcher and carried me away."

MOSCOW ANGRY

Moscow denies supplying weapons or troops to pro-Russian separatists. The embassy says Kiev applied psychological pressure to force the detained men into saying they are serving Russian soldiers. The controversy comes while in Ukraine's war torn east pro-Russian rebels have denied claims that a bloody internal battle for control of Moscow's money was behind the gangland-style slaying of a top rebel leader. Commander Alexei Mozgovoi of the Prizrak, or 'Ghost' brigade, was killed Saturday along with at least six others, including his press secretary and body quards.  They were shot Saturday while traveling in an area under his control in the eastern province of Luhansk after at least two vehicles were struck by a bomb. Observers said Mozgovoi was believed to have tensions with Luhansk's self-proclaimed leader Igor Plotnitsky and some key officials in the Kremlin. Yet Plotnitsky played down the reports saying the attack "on Alexei Mozgovoi and his comrades-in-arms was an attack on all of us -- people who defend the right for the [separatist region] to exist." He added: "I mourn together with all those who knew Alexei Borisovich Mozgovoi and those who walked this journey together with him."

AUTOCRATIC LEADER

Former folk choir singer and poet Mozgovoi-- believed to be around 40 -- resisted the terms of a February truce deal that permitted only limited self-rule in rebel-held lands.  However Kiev has denied involvement in his killing, saying his death was a result of clashes among rebels.  "A sectarian battle between the fighters is continuing on the occupied territories of Lugansk," presidential administration spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told reporters.  The autocratic leader was also known for running a summary court system that targeted those either backing Kiev or practising Western lifestyles. He once threatened to arrest every young women seen in bars of cafes.  The conflict in eastern Ukraine has killed at least over 6,300 people, according to United Nations estimates. 








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