Soldier Accused of Bucha War Crimes Joins Putin’s ‘New Elite’
Nursultan Mussagaleyev was chosen for a new program that aims to prepare veterans of the war for positions of power within the Russian government.
Getty
A paratrooper accused of murdering and torturing Ukrainian civilians in Bucha has been selected to become part of Vladimir Putin’s new “elite.” Nursultan Mussagaleyev of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division was chosen to join a new program created by Putin called the “Time of Heroes,” according to the independent news outlet Agentstvo. The program aims to prepare veterans of the war against Ukraine for positions of power within the Russian government to create what the Russian president has dubbed the “true elite.” Mussagaleyev was personally singled out by Ukraine’s Security Service last year for the “mass torture and killing of civilians” in Bucha in early 2022. Among other things, he allegedly ordered subordinates to kidnap a 29-year-old civilian and execute him in a forest outside Kyiv. While Mussagaleyev is wanted for war crimes by Ukraine, he’s gained stardom back home, having been awarded the “Hero of Russia” title and featuring in a primetime propaganda film aired on Kremlin-controlled television.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.