The EU has imposed sanctions on a Russian general who bragged about torturing prisoners of war

Earlier, the “Sistema” and “Scheme” projects told how Demurchiev boasted about torturing prisoners of war.

According to the document, Major General Roman Demurchiev “is involved in torture, executions and desecration of bodies of Ukrainian servicemen, including prisoners of war.”

According to EU representatives, he thus threatens “the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as the stability or security of Ukraine”.

RFE/RL’s investigative “Sistema” project, together with the Ukrainian Service’s “Scheme” project, had previously studied Demurchiev’s 2022-2024 term. correspondence.

The Russian military commander discussed the fate of the prisoners of war with his colleagues and relatives, repeatedly boasted about the “booty” and advised his colleagues “not to forget about the money”.

2022 in October, Demurchiev told his friends that he captured the Ukrainian “base”. He attached photos of severed human ears to the messages. He also sent one of those messages to his wife, Alexandra. “I will collect a wreath and present it to you,” the general wrote to his wife.

2024 in December, Demurchiev discussed with his colleagues the fate of already killed prisoners of war. The general shared a video in which ex-convict Russian servicemen beat three Ukrainians to death with digging shovels after they raised their hands and surrendered to captivity. Demurchiev reported this to his immediate superior, the commander of the 20th Army, General Oleg Mityaev.

The Sistema and Scheme projects profiled Demurchiev as part of a two-part investigation into the torture of prisoners of war and the earnings of Russian officers.