MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Who was Vladimir Zhoga? Russian 'neo-Nazi' warlord known for his brutality killed in Ukraine

Vladimir Zhoga, a Neo-nazi warlord and the Commander of Sparta Battalion, was shot dead on March 5 in Volnovakha

Vladimir Zhoga, a Neo-nazi warlord responsible for brutally torturing and killing torture and executions, was killed near Volnovakha, Ukraine on March 5. Born in Slavyansk, he was the Commander of Sparta Battalion, a Russian-backed separatist DPR. He took command of the battalion after criminal warlord Arseny 'Motorola' Pavlov was killed by a bomb on October 16, 2016.

Zhoga is the third senior Russian officer to lose his life during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Pro-Russian separatist Denis Pushilin, who is the head of the Donetsk People's Republic, broke the news of Zhoga's death via Telegram. He claimed that Zhoga had been shot while attempting to evacuate civilians from Volnovakha on Saturday.

READ MORE

What is Task Force Rusich? Inside Russia's most vicious neo-Nazi mercenary unit

3 National Socialist Movement men arrested for brutally assaulting Jewish student at neo-Nazi rally

"Today in Volnovakha, the commander of a separate reconnaissance battalion 'Sparta' of the Guard, Colonel Vladimir Zhoga, call sign Vokha, died heroically. He was mortally wounded while ensuring the exit of civilians. 'Sparta' covered the evacuation of civilians, mostly women, and children. The Nazis opened fire on them," Pushilin wrote.

"I have signed a decree on conferring the title of Hero of the Donetsk People's Republic on Vladimir Artemovich Zhoga posthumously. He died a heroic death, just a little short of victory. But his feat brought it closer. I express my sincere condolences to family and friends. Rest in peace, Brother!" his message concluded.

"Vladimir 'Vokha' Zhoga, the 'successor' of Russian criminal warlord Arsen 'Motorola' Pavlov, has been killed in action. In my hometown Volnovakha!" tweeted Illia Ponomarenko, defense reporter for The Kyiv Independent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the Executive Order on awarding the title of Hero of the Russian Federation to Vladimir Zhoga. "The title of Hero of the Russian Federation has been awarded to Vladimir Zhoga (posthumously) for acts of heroism and courage while fulfilling his civic duty," reported Kremlin, the official website of the President of the Russian Federation.

"Last footage of Zhoga. He's telling relatives of Volnovakha residents, who asked him to get their loved ones out of the fighting, that he will do that. Thirty minutes later he went to fulfill his promise. An hour and a half later he was KIA," read a tweet by pro-Russian account Russians With Attitude. "Vladimir Zhoga has been awarded the title of 'Hero of the Russian Federation' posthumously, the highest honorary title in Russia," the quote-tweet read.

Who was Vladimir Zhoga?

Zhoga Vladimir Artemovich was born on May 26, 1993 in Slovyansk, Donestk. Zhoga joined the Sparta Battalion in 2014 and took part in battles for Slavyansk and the airport of Donetsk. The battalion's first commander, Arsen Pavlov, died on October 16, 2016, after which Zhoga took command. The battalion fought against the Ukrainian government and is reportedly responsible for a number of vicious atrocities, including the murder of several Ukrainian prisoners of war.

When he took the battalion's command, he said, "It will be me, his First Deputy Commander. Motorola always introduced me as his Deputy. That is why we unanimously decided to continue his work together but under my leadership." Pavlov was accused of several war crimes, and in an audio clip shared by the Kyiv Post, he revealed that he shot 15 prisoners dead. "I don't give a f**k about what I am accused of, believe it or not. I shot 15 prisoners dead. I don't give a f**k. No comment. I kill if I want to. I don't if I don't."

"The new commander of the Sparta Battalion will be Artyom Zhoga - Vladimir's father. They joined the Donetsk People's Militia together in 2014," read a tweet by Russians With Attitude.