The commander in charge of Russia's 64th Motorized Rifle Brigade is a 40 something officer named Azatbek Omurbekov. He holds the rank of Lt. Col. and been decorated for his service during the take over of the Crimean peninsula and parts of Eastern Ukraine.
In fact Omurbekov's military skills were so impressive in late November last year the Russian Orthodox Bishop of Khabarovsk publicly blessed him. During the Mass the Lt. Col. told the gathering, "History shows that most of our battles are fought with our souls." He then went on to say, "Weapons are not the most important thing and with the blessing of the Almighty, we hope to achieve what our ancestors did."
90 or so days later Omurbekov led those wild and crazy guys of the fightin' 64th into Ukrainian territory.
Things went well at first. They kicked up some radioactive dust in Chernobyl, but kept moving toward Kyiv. About 17 miles north of their goal, in a suburb called Bucha, they were stopped cold by a combination of poor logistics and fierce Ukrainian resistance.
Then it got even uglier. The 64th Motorized Infantry Brigade, Azatbek Omurbekov commanding, began to achieve the things their ancestors had. Those things included looting, rape, and murder.
They were in Bucha for 40 days. The current civilian body count is nearly 400 and rising. Many of the dead were found with their hands bound behind their backs and were killed by a single bullet to the head. In one CBS video a Ukrainian woman had to shoo her two young children outside before she could explain that at one point Russian soldiers forced her to give them blowjobs, in exchange for the kids lives.
Despite accusations it is unknown if Omurbekov actually ordered the killings and other atrocities. However, it is obvious he knew about them and did nothing to stop the barbarity. It is also obvious he allowed his troops to loot stores and homes of what little food and liquor was left to the civilians. The empty beer and vodka bottles littering their bivouac sites are ample evidence of his approval, or, complete malfeasance.
The Russians claim all the scenes of civilians dead in the streets are being staged by the Ukrainians to turn world opinion against them. Well that ship sailed in February when this savagery began. There is no one outside of the most fervent Putin supporters who believe it. The history of Russian warfare is full of monstrous behavior toward civilians. So much so it seems your average Russian soldier believes rape is as much of a benefit of being in the army as free medical care.
The 64th Motorized Infantry Brigade, along with the rest of the army in the north has pulled back to refit, rearm, and presumably sober up. They will be back though, we can count on it. That means Lt. Col. Azatbek Omurbekov will be too.
You know, he is the man who told us he fights his battles with his soul--that same one which proved to be so ghastly in Bucha.
4-7-22
SMH
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