The U.S. Department of Justice filed war crime charges against some Russian military members in connection with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
This was confirmed by the DOJ on Wednesday, Dec. 6, saying that it is the first case where an American was allegedly kidnapped and tortured in Ukraine.
The U.S. resident claimed that he traveled to Ukraine in 2022 as part of an investigation. However, he was abducted by four Russian soldiers, which led to his traumatizing experience.
US DOJ Files War Crime Charges Against Russians
According to The Guardian's latest report, the American hostage told federal agents that the four Russian soldiers kidnapped him while he was in Ukraine.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that the victim experienced getting stripped naked, having a gun pointed at his head, and being beaten so badly.
Via its official press release, the U.S. DOJ disclosed the names of the four Russian soldiers. The first two, Dmitry Budnik and Suren Seiranovich, were identified completely.
However, the last names of the remaining two Russian soldiers were not acquired. Only their first names, Nazar and Valerii, were disclosed.
"The evidence gathered by our agents speaks to the brutality, criminality, and depravity of Russia's invasion," said Mayorkas.
The American hostage's traumatizing captivity experience is a big deal for the U.S. since it is the first time that a U.S. resident has been abducted in connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
DOJ officials said that the American was staying with his family in Mylove, a Ukrainian village, in 2022. When the Russian soldiers abducted him, he was held hostage for 10 days at a Russian military compound.
He was beaten and interrogated during his captivity. After that, he was evacuated, together with his Ukrainian wife.
What the US War Crime Charges Mean to Russia
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland explained that just like Ukraine, the U.S. DOJ is also witnessing the horrors caused by the brutal invasion of Russia.
"That is why the Justice Department has filed the first-ever charges under the U.S. war crimes statute against four Russia-affiliated military personnel for heinous crimes against an American citizen," added the official.
Garland promised that no matter how long it takes, the Department of Justice will make drastic efforts to seek accountability and justice for Russia's war aggression.
He said that the latest war crime charges filed by the U.S. DOJ against the mentioned Russian soldiers are a clear message to Russia that the U.S. will spare no one when it comes to violating the fundamental rights of an American.
Related Article: Ukraine Investigates Ukrainian POW Execution Allegations Against Russia; Victims Reportedly Unarmed When Killed
