Ukraine's Defense Intelligence has released new evidence indicating the deliberate targeting of civilians in temporarily occupied territories. The intercepted communication adds to a growing body of material documenting alleged war crimes committed by russian forces.
In the audio recording, a russian serviceman is heard issuing what appears to be a direct order to carry out a "cleansing" operation in an area where civilians are present, explicitly instructing subordinates to "kill everyone".
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The Defense Intelligence describes the content as clear proof of intentional violence against non-combatants rather than collateral damage during combat operations.
According to the intelligence, the unit identified in the intercepted conversation belongs to the Storm unit, a formation composed of former prisoners, operating within russia's 57th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade. The events in question are said to have taken place on the Oleksandrivka axis near the settlement of Zelenyi Hai in Donetsk region.
The so-called Storm units have previously been associated with high-risk assault operations, often deployed in the most intense sectors of the front line. Their composition and role have raised concerns among Ukrainian authorities and international observers about discipline, command responsibility, and adherence to the laws of armed conflict.
As Defense Express previously reported, Ukrainian forces carried out a series of coordinated strikes overnight on February 13, targeting key russian military assets across temporarily occupied territories. The operation forms part of a broader campaign aimed at systematically degrading Moscow's offensive capabilities along the front line and in rear support areas.
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