On April 18, 2022, Vladimir Putin awarded the rank of “Guards” to the 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Army. On March 28, a similar decree was dedicated to the 155th Marine Brigade. Both Russian military units operated in Bucha. This suggests that this spring in Russia a new count of cynicism at the highest state level began.

Traditionally, the Guards are the most capable, victorious units that have demonstrated courage and victory on the battlefield. However, this time we are talking about completely different actions.

In March 2022, both “guard” units were located in the town of Bucha in the suburbs of Kyiv. It became known throughout the world as a symbol of the war crimes of the occupiers. Civilians were killed, women and underage girls were raped, houses were destroyed. 85% of the victim’s bodies have traces of bullet wounds. More than 400 Bucha residents fell victim to several weeks of occupation.

Why did the occupiers of Bucha become guardsmen? Russia’s president has been awarding Russian servicemen since the first days of the war. However, with the 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 155th Marine Brigade, the situation is quite different.

The Kremlin boss last week compared the allegations of war crimes in Bucha to “fakes of a chemical attack in Syria”. He said that it was phenomena of the same order. Against this background, it is not surprising that Alexander Dvornikov, known as the “Syrian butcher”, has been appointed commander of Russian troops in Ukraine. He obviously has Putin’s personal indulgence in any actions that allow him to achieve his goals.

The new “guards” became another symbol. Putin and his allies are spitting on the world around them. The president of Russia rewarded executioners, rapists and looters. Russian government does not hide its desire to destroy Ukrainians as a nation and Ukraine as a state. They need to be stopped by joint efforts, there are no alternatives.

Evhen Magda