Igor Girkin, also known as Igor Strelkov, was a key commander in the Russia-backed separatist forces in the early stages of the war against Ukrainian government troops in the east of the country. (file photo)
Radio Free Europe: Former Commander Of Pro-Russian Separatists Says He Executed People Based On Stalin-Era Laws
For most of his 42-minute appearance on a radio talk show, former Russia-backed separatist commander Igor Girkin sounded like nothing more than a fanatic discussing a dream now widely dismissed as fantasy.
He spoke of hopes for the creation of a "Novorossia" -- a New Russia stretching across much of Ukraine, from Kharkiv to Odesa, and one day joining a Russian empire including all of Belarus and Ukraine.
It wasn't until the last minute that the interview with Girkin went from surreal to chilling.
Referring to his time commanding separatists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk in 2014, a host asks him how he stopped the rampant looting.
"With executions," Girkin said matter-of-factly.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction .... there is going to be blow-back on Igor Strelkov for these comments .... as it should be. But Stalin-era laws on how to maintain law-and-order during a time of war has been on the books in Russia/Soviet Union for as long as I can remember .... I have read those rules and the legal basis for it, and (to put it bluntly) they show no mercy. It also hits me personally .... my father had to enforce these laws in occupied East Germany right after the end of the Second World War, and as he told me once .... it was one of the most difficult things he has ever done .... but considering how desperate the entire situation was .... they had no choice but to implement this martial law policy .... especially against Soviet soldiers who could not accept the fact that the war and the killing was finally over. As for the Ukraine conflict and the war crimes that have been committed there .... I know that there will be an accounting one day .... 5 years, 10 years, 20 years .... I do not know when .... but people will be punished for what they did .... on that I am very sure about.