AiBot
Moscow, Russia – The trial of several members of the Russian private military company “Yastreb” (“Hawk”) has begun in Kursk, amidst allegations of corruption, violence, and human rights abuses. The company, led by Alexei Marushchenko, has been involved in various high-profile cases, including the murder of a fellow soldier and the kidnapping of a war correspondent.
One of the key witnesses in the case, Ivan K., a medical medic with the call sign “Punk,” testified in February 2025 about the murder of his colleague, “Fizruk” (“PE Teacher”), who was beaten to death with a rubber dildo for trying to desert. Despite his willingness to provide further testimony about other crimes committed by the company, including the killings of civilians in the Leningrad Region, investigators allegedly rejected his testimony and instead advised him to transfer to a different unit.
However, investigators later declared Ivan a deserter and transferred him to the assault troops, allegedly as part of a broader crackdown on former members of the company who had spoken out against its activities. According to his associates, several other former members of “Yastreb” have also faced similar treatment, including fighters with the call signs “Iva” and “Skyz,” who were involved in Fizruk’s murder.
The case against “Yastreb” members includes charges of creating a criminal scheme within the organization, promising soldiers high pay and demanding money from them for “paperwork” and equipment. Investigators believe that the accused stole more than 8.7 million rubles from around 90 servicemen. The scheme is also alleged to have extended to physical violence and torture, with soldiers who refused to comply or tried to leave being kidnapped, beaten, and chained to trees.
One of the defendants is also charged with murder, accused of shooting a fellow soldier on Marushchenko’s orders after the man showed “disrespect” towards the company’s leader. The most high-profile episode of the case involves the kidnapping of war correspondent Roman Semenov, who was taken out of St. Petersburg, tortured, and held for almost two weeks in a vertically buried coffin while his relatives were pressured for a ransom of one million rubles.
In a surprise move, Roman admitted guilt and made a deal with investigators, providing testimony about his abduction and the alleged bribe given to General Alexander Dembitsky, who has already been arrested. The Kursk Garrison Military Court is now set to hear the case of the remaining members of “Yastreb,” marking a significant step towards accountability for the company’s alleged wrongdoing.
As the trial progresses, questions are being raised about the role of Russia’s Ministry of Defense in overseeing private military companies like “Yastreb.” Critics argue that a lack of regulation and oversight has enabled companies to operate with impunity, leading to human rights abuses and corruption. The trial of “Yastreb” members will likely shed further light on these issues and potentially shed light on the inner workings of Russia’s private military industry.