Azatbek Omurbekov

Azatbek Asanbekovich Omurbekov (Russian: Азатбек Асанбекович Омурбеков; born 17 September 1983) is a Soviet-born Russian colonel who commanded the 64th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Ground Forces during its deployment in Ukraine, during which the unit committed war crimes in the town of Bucha. He has been referred to in the media[1] and by the European Union[2] as the "Butcher of Bucha".

Colonel

Azatbek Omurbekov
Native name
Азатбек Асанбекович Омурбеков
Nickname(s)"Butcher of Bucha"
Born (1983-09-17) 17 September 1983
Kashka-Suu, Aksy District, Osh Oblast, Kyrgyz SSR, USSR
Allegiance Russia
Service/branchRussian Ground Forces
RankColonel
Commands held64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade
Battles/wars
AwardsHero of Russia (condecorated for his military actions in Bucha)

In 2022, Omurbekov was sanctioned by the European Union,[2] the United Kingdom,[3] and Canada[4] for his actions in Ukraine. The United States sanctioned the entire 64th Brigade.[5]

Personal life

Azatbek Asanbekovich Omurbekov was born on 17 September 1983. There are conflicting reports where he was born. Social media suggests he was born in Jaynak, Kashka-Suu, Aksy District in the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic. Media reports indicate that Omurbekov was born in Soviet Uzbekistan.[6] His grandfather, a veteran of the Eastern Front during World War II, is from Nukus, Karakalpakstan. His father, Federal Security Service (FSB) Colonel Asan Omurbekov, served in the military all his life, including guarding the Kyrgyz border for nearly 10 years. His brother, Askarbek Omurbekov, is reportedly lieutenant colonel in the Russian FSB.[7]

Russian military career

In 2014, Omurbekov received an award for outstanding service from then Russian deputy defense minister Dmitry Bulgakov.[6]

In November 2021, Omurbekov reportedly received a blessing from the Russian Orthodox Church.[8][9] Omurbekov and the 64th Brigade's role in Bucha were first reported by Ukrainian NGO InformNapalm.[10]

By the time of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Omurbekov commanded 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of the 35th Combined Arms Army in the Russian Army. According to the European Union, the unit "killed, raped and tortured civilians in Bucha, Ukraine"[2] during the Bucha massacre that occurred while the city was under Russian occupation in March.

Dead civilians discovered in Bucha after the 64th Bridge under Omurbekov left the city.

By 13 July 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded him the title of Hero of the Russian Federation, Russia's highest award, in a secret ceremony.[11] Later in 2022, he was transferred to command the 392nd District Training Centre.[12]

Sanctions

In April 2022, the United Kingdom sanctioned Omurbekov for his "involvement in the Bucha massacre".[3] In May, Canada added Omurbekov to its sanctions list.[4] In June, European Union sanctioned Omurbekov for his role as commander of the 64th Brigade, claiming Omurbekov had "direct responsibility in killings, rapes and torture in Bucha."[2] The United States sanctioned the entire 64th Brigade for "killing numerous civilians, detained civilians, beat detained civilians, conducted mock executions of civilians, dismembered civilians including removing parts of their scalps and removing their limbs, burned civilians, and seized and damaged civilian homes and property" in Bucha.[5]

References
  1. Cole, Brendan (6 April 2022). "Who Is Azatbek Omurbekov? Commander Believed To Be Behind Bucha Killings". Newsweek. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  2. "Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/883". Official Journal of the European Union. European Union. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  3. "New sanctions targeting Putin's war leaders". UK Government. UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  4. "Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations: SOR/2022-98". Canada Gazette. Government of Canada. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  5. "Targeting Russia's War Machine, Sanctions Evaders, Military Units Credibly Implicated in Human Rights Abuses, and Russian Federation Officials Involved in Suppression of Dissent". U.S Department of State. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  6. Tondo, Lorenzo (14 March 2023). "The 4-metre-wide board detailing the entire Russian military chain of command in Ukraine". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  7. "Видео – Подполковник Азатбек Өмүрбеков Москвада жана Хабаровскидеги Жеңиш параддарында мотоаткычтар бригадасын жетектеп өттү - Kyrgyztoday.org". Kyrgyztoday.org - Маалымат сайты (in Kazakh). 2021-05-11. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  8. "Qui est Azatbek Omurbekov, surnommé le boucher de Boutcha?". www.rtl.fr (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  9. "'Butcher of Bucha' was blessed by the Orthodox Church before 'war crimes'". The Independent. 2022-04-06. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  10. Stewart, Will (2022-04-22). "Hunt for Russian commanders in charge of Bucha atrocities as colonel named". Evening Standard. Yahoo! News. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  11. Fomina, Ekaterina. ""Dispose of Them," the Commander Ordered". Pulitzer Center. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  12. "Командование". Council of Veterans of the 392nd District Training Center. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
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