International Courant
An American fighter named Russell Bentley, who fought with pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, has been killed in occupied Donetsk, media studies say.
Earlier this month, Russian authorities reported that the 64-year-old citizen of the US and Russia was lacking.
Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Russia At present information channel and shut confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin, mentioned in an April 19 announcement that Bentley, referred to as “Texas,” died in Donetsk whereas combating “for our folks.” created on X.
In the meantime, the Vostok Battalion, of which Bentley was a member, transmitted through Telegram a press release forwarded by the deputy head of the Russian Guard within the self-proclaimed Donetsk Individuals’s Republic, Alexander Khodakovsky, stating that “those that killed Russell Bentley” Shall be handled. with ‘exemplary punishment’.
New digital platform Al Jazeera 360 has documented Bentley’s story in an upcoming movie, A Diary of a Fighter, which follows his journey, transformations and causes for combating alongside Russian forces.
Here is every part it’s essential to know concerning the mysterious Russell Bentley case:
Who was Russell Bentley?
Bentley grew up in southwestern Texas in a rich household that was each spiritual and conservative.
A self-declared communist, he joined Russian forces in 2014 to battle in Ukraine’s japanese Donbas area.
Since December 2014, he lived in Petrovsky, Donetsk, together with his spouse Ludmila, initially from the Jap Area of Ukraine.
(Al Jazeera)
He reportedly obtained Russian citizenship in 2021 and commenced working as a correspondent on the pro-Kremlin Russian information company Sputnik final yr.
Bentley had described himself as a “poet” and mentioned the US in the present day “is dominated by a bunch of primordial fascists and oligarchic companies, enemies of Russia and humanity as an entire.”
He mentioned he devoted his life to combating them, particularly after the US invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, which he claimed have been “based mostly on lies and dedicated crimes in opposition to humanity.”
What occurred the day he disappeared?
Ludmila Bentley mentioned her husband disappeared on April 8.
She advised Al Jazeera that she and her partner arrived on the Petrovsky municipal constructing within the Donetsk area, managed by Russian forces, at round 3:30 pm (12:30 GMT). Upon arrival, they heard studies of casualties from shelling, prompting the hunter to volunteer and assist the victims.
She selected to attend for him within the constructing.
Nevertheless, when he did not return round 4:15 p.m., she turned involved.
Witnesses later advised her that an individual who was not fluent in Russian and had no identification papers had been kidnapped. The individual was reportedly blindfolded and restrained earlier than being taken away for causes unknown to her.
Ludmila Bentley mentioned her husband was kidnapped by Russian troopers belonging to a tank battalion (Courtesy of Al Jazeera 360)
Ludmila mentioned that subsequent to their automobile was her husband’s cellphone, which was damaged, alongside together with his hat and glasses.
Unable to seek out the automobile keys, she determined to return the subsequent morning. Nevertheless, witnesses advised her that earlier than her arrival, two folks in army clothes had taken the automobile.
Bentley’s recovered bag contained his Russian passport, army ID, driver’s license, private financial institution playing cards, firearm and carry allow.
On his Telegram channel, Ludmila demanded his launch, stating that he had been “kidnapped” by Russian troopers belonging to a tank battalion.
She mentioned she contacted police, who opened a felony case that was transferred to a “army investigative committee.”
She handed over her husband’s cellphone after it was repaired, however mentioned she hasn’t heard from police since.
As Russia’s struggle in Ukraine continues, what is probably going behind this growth?
In keeping with the Astra Telegram channel, which is run by impartial journalists and focuses on developments in and about Russia, Bentley disappeared whereas filming the aftermath of a Ukrainian assault on a army unit.
Alexander Korobko, a good friend of Bentley’s and a producer on Al Jazeera’s movie crew, mentioned in a Fb put up on April 12 that, in response to witnesses, Bentley “was taken by folks in camouflage.” He prompt that that they had in all probability mistaken him for a spy and brought him to army interrogators.
Korobko mentioned he contacted Bentley just a few days earlier than his kidnapping to movie extra scenes with him and his spouse.
Aside from the continued struggle, he mentioned there was no particular menace surrounding Bentley.
He mentioned Bentley’s kidnapping highlights the challenges of sustaining regulation and order within the Donetsk area, the place he was kidnapped, as it’s “one of many grey areas” with out particular management.
He mentioned he and everybody who is aware of Bentley admire “his humanitarian work and, most significantly, his army work,” and described him as an “extraordinary persona.”
Each Russian and Ukrainian troopers have been accused of struggle crimes all through the battle, which has been ongoing since February 24, 2022. 1000’s of civilians have been killed, together with kids, as have hundreds of troops on either side. Components of Ukraine have additionally been destroyed.
Officers from Russia, the US and Ukraine don’t seem to have formally responded to Bentley’s case.
Russell Bentley: Professional-Russian fighter from Texas disappears in Donetsk | Warfare information between Russia and Ukraine
Africa Area Information ,Subsequent Huge Factor in Public Knowledg
