Russian Defector Exposes Kremlin-Ordered War Crimes in Ukraine

A former Russian colonel and ex-member of the Wagner paramilitary group, Igor Salikov, has arrived in the Netherlands to testify about alleged war crimes committed by Moscow during its war on Ukraine. Salikov claims to have witnessed atrocities against civilians, including the abuse and execution of prisoners of war and the abduction of children. He alleges that these actions were carried out on the orders of the Russian defense ministry and President Vladimir Putin's office. These claims are supported by reports of alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine, and the ICC has issued an international arrest warrant for Putin over the forced transfer of children to Russia. Salikov fled the Russian forces after refusing to execute civilians and now wants to report what he saw to the ICC.