Germany Killed Ukrainian soldiers: Murder trial against Russians

Following the violent deaths of two Ukrainian soldiers in Germany, the Munich II Regional Court has admitted the charges against a Russian on suspicion of murder.

The 57-year-old is alleged to have killed two war-wounded Ukrainian soldiers with a knife in Murnau (Upper Bavaria) in April following an argument about the situation in their home country. Seven dates have been scheduled for the trial in February, the court announced.

The 57-year-old, who had previously made several police appearances, had lived in Germany since the early 1990s. He allegedly stabbed the two soldiers, aged 23 and 36, who had been operated on for war injuries at the Murnau Trauma Clinic, near a shopping center. The deaths of the two soldiers had caused great horror in the spring.

Accused "supporter of an exaggerated Russian nationalism"

In its indictment, the Central Office for Combating Extremism and Terrorism of the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office assumes that the Russian acted unexpectedly and denied the victims the right to life on the basis of their nationality.

"As a supporter of exaggerated Russian nationalism, he unreservedly supports the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine," it was stated at the arraignment in October. The 57-year-old is said to have felt "hurt in his national pride" by the dispute. He also felt "confirmed in his hostility towards the Ukrainian soldiers".

He therefore fetched a knife from his nearby apartment and stabbed his first victim in the neck with it. He then allegedly stabbed the second man as well. Both died.

The prosecution assumes that the murder was committed with base motives - and with malice aforethought. The victims are said to have been unsuspecting and - having previously consumed alcohol with the accused - very drunk.