U.S. Justice Department Charges Four Russian Nationals with War Crimes in Connection with Ukraine Invasion

The U.S. Justice Department has charged four Russian nationals with war crimes in connection with the invasion of Ukraine. The defendants are two commanding officers and two lower-ranking soldiers, and they are charged with unlawful confinement, torture and inhuman treatment, as well as one count of conspiracy to commit war crimes.

According to the indictment, the four interrogated, beat and tortured an American victim, threatening to kill him in a mock execution. The victim was also forced to perform manual labor, such as digging trenches, on behalf of the Russian forces.

The defendants have been identified as Suren Seiranovich Mkrtchyan, Dmitry Budnik, and two others whose last names are unknown — who have the first names of Valerii and Nazar.

The charges come as the White House has warned that time and money to help Ukraine is running out. The U.S. has been providing military and financial assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2014.

The Justice Department has not yet released any additional information about the defendants or the victim, and it is unclear when the case will go to trial. It is also unclear what the potential penalties are for the defendants if they are found guilty.