Ukraine identifies Russian soldier accused of shooting two civilians and captured on CNN video

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine has established the identity of a Russian soldier accused of killing two civilians in the suburbs of Kyiv. CNN reports that its video featuring the alleged criminal helped to identify the soldier. 

Back in May, CNN published a video report that allegedly features Russian servicemen killing two unarmed Ukrainian civilians in the suburbs of Kyiv on 16 March. 

In the footage from several security cameras, soldiers are seen driving up to a building in a white car with the writing “Tank spetsnaz Rus” and “V” letters on it. Later on, five soldiers begin to shoot at the locks and break the windows of a car dealership. The owner and the 68-year-old security guard Leonid Plyats come out from the dealership, the soldiers search the men. When the civilians turn away from them and start to walk off, the soldiers shoot them in the back. 

This week, CNN received new footage of the scene. The faces of the attackers are visible on it. Thanks to CNN’s previous report and the new footage, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine was able to establish the identity of one of the Russian soldiers. According to the office, the serviceman is Nikolay Sokovikov. 

Ukrainian prosecutors told CNN that they had informed Russia about the results of their pre-trial investigation. Sokovikov is accused of violating the rules and customs of war and premediated murder. 

Radio Liberty's journalists contacted Nikolay, he confirmed to “have been visible on parts of the video from the security cameras”. 

“However, he claims that the fragments with the shooting were ‘added’ to the footage, and that they don’t feature him. He also said that he did not serve in the 5th Tank Brigade but refused to name his military unit,” reports Radio Liberty. 

Earlier, IStories'* journalists were able to identify the second soldier from the CNN footage. Allegedly, it is 29-year-old Dmitry Lapshakov.

Nikolay Sokovikov confirmed to Radio Liberty that Lapshakov was with him in the suburbs of Kyiv on the day of the footage. 

*The Russian government considers IStories an “undesirable organisation”. Reposting this news article in Russia may lead to a fine. A repeat offence may result in criminal charges.