A Russian man, Azamat Uldarov, who previously claimed to have killed children and other civilians while serving with the Wagner private military company in Ukraine, has reportedly recanted his statement. Uldarov suggested that he was blackmailed into making the initial claim.
In a video call with the Russian news agency RIA-FAN, the former convict retracted his allegations, but it remains unclear if there were any conditions surrounding the interview. Uldarov had earlier participated in extended interviews where he and another former convict, Alexey Savichev, described their experiences as part of the Wagner Group, which draws fighters from Russian prisons.
Details of the Retraction
During his previous interviews, Uldarov recounted specific incidents, including an account of shooting a young girl, which he referred to as “a management decision.” He claimed that he was ordered to kill anyone in his path, estimating the girl’s age to be around five or six years old.
In the follow-up with RIA-FAN, associated with Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, Uldarov indicated that he was under the influence of alcohol during the initial interview and alleged that he was coerced by Vladimir Osechkin, the founder of the Russian human rights group Gulagu.net, regarding his past in prison.
Potential Consequences
When questioned about the coercive nature of his earlier statements, Uldarov acknowledged the pressure, affirming that he had no choice but to comply. He publicly stated, “I said whatever I was told to say.” Despite the retraction, he also made statements praising Prigozhin, suggesting he had “saved” their lives.
Osechkin later claimed that both Uldarov and Savichev were threatened with murder if they did not retract their earlier statements. Savichev also reiterated that his unit received orders to kill any males aged 15 and older during their time in Ukraine.
