Nonprofit group’s rescue of American leads to historic war crimes charges
An American Tortured by Russian Soldiers Rescued by Nonprofit Group
An American citizen, Kirillo Alexandrov, was subjected to torture by four Russian soldiers who have now been charged with war crimes by the Department of Justice. In a remarkable turn of events, it was not the U.S. government but a nonprofit group that saved his life.
Alexandrov, a Ukrainian American, was living in the village of Mylove in the Kherson area when the war broke out in February 2022. He was arrested by Russian forces in Russian-occupied Ukraine in April 2022 and endured horrific torture at the hands of his captors. They threatened him with sexual assault and execution, leaving him in a state of extreme distress.
“During the abduction, we allege that those defendants threw the victim to the ground while he was naked, tied his hands behind his back, pointed a gun at his head, and beat him with their feet, their fists, and the stocks of their guns,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said last week. “We allege that, as they interrogated him, they tortured him. They beat him, again, with a gun. They punched him in his chest and stomach. They threatened to shoot him. They stripped off his clothes and took pictures. One of their conspirators threatened to sexually assault him.”
The accused soldiers, Suren Seiranovich Mkrtchyan, Dmitry Budnik, Valerii, and Nazar, whose last names are unknown, are the first individuals to be charged under the U.S. war crimes statute. This statute grants the Department of Justice the authority to prosecute war crimes committed against American citizens abroad.
Despite negotiations between the nonprofit group Project Dynamo, which consists of former military and intelligence officers, and the Kremlin, Alexandrov was not released by the Russian forces. Instead, he was rescued by Project Dynamo in a daring mission that crossed enemy lines without any support from the U.S. military.
“This is extremely important — that I was broken in ways I’ve never been broken before — left behind by everybody. America left me behind. Ukraine wasn’t doing well in the war at that point, at least in Kherson, where I was at,” he told the Washington Examiner, adding that the minimal communication he was able to have with Project Dynamo founder Bryan Stern prior to the rescue operation was “probably the one thing that kept the thread attached.”
Project Dynamo has been conducting rescue operations globally since 2021, initially focusing on rescuing individuals in Afghanistan following the collapse of the government. In less than three years, the group has successfully rescued approximately 7,000 people from countries such as Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Israel, Gaza, Maui (during wildfires), and Florida (after Hurricane Ian). They are now preparing for potential rescue operations in Taiwan if China decides to invade.
Project Dynamo always seeks approval from the U.S. government before proceeding with their operations to avoid interfering with military or intelligence missions. Stern emphasized that the group has received the green light from the administration for every operation. However, despite risking their lives to save Americans when the government cannot, Project Dynamo does not receive any financial support or recognition from the executive branch.
“There is a hard policy divide between the private sector, including the nonprofit world, and the executive branch of government, where we can’t even get funding from them,” Stern explained. “We can’t get a thank-you note from them. We have not received anything from anyone in the executive branch of government whatsoever, be it from the White House to the DOJ, FBI, Homeland, State Department, CIA, the military, you know, whatever it is, all of whom are charged with the safe recovery or with the safety of American citizens.”
Project Dynamo relies on private donor support, but Stern believes the government should provide financial assistance. He suggests implementing a rewards-for-rescue program, similar to the existing Rewards for Justice initiative, where individuals who successfully rescue Americans in dangerous situations can receive financial incentives. This would not only help fund the group’s missions but also attract more donors who could potentially profit from successful rescues.
“From a policy perspective, within DOJ right now, we have Rewards for Justice as an example,” Stern said. ”Well, wouldn’t it be great if there was like a rewards-for-rescue thing? Right? It seems strange to me, as a humanitarian, that I can make money by going to kill a bad guy, which I don’t do anymore. But I can’t be reimbursed for saving an American. That seems incongruent to me. I would think that we would invest more in that. Right? And that’s not to say that I want a reward for Kirillo or anything, but the mechanism does exist.”
Alexandrov urges people to support Bryan Stern and Project Dynamo, emphasizing the ongoing need for their services in a world where conflicts are becoming increasingly common. He believes that by supporting the group, suffering can be minimized for everyone affected by wars.
How can nonprofit organizations like Project Dynamo receive imbursement from the U.S. government for their life-saving efforts in conflict zones?
Imbursement from the U.S. government.
The successful rescue of Kirillo Alexandrov highlights the critical role that nonprofit organizations can play in saving the lives of individuals caught in conflict zones. While governments may have limitations and dependencies that hinder their ability to act swiftly, nonprofit groups like Project Dynamo are nimble and driven by compassion and a sense of duty.
However, it is also important to recognize and address the underlying issues that allow such atrocities to occur. The fact that an American citizen was tortured by Russian soldiers on Ukrainian soil is a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and human rights abuses in the region. It highlights the need for international cooperation and accountability in addressing war crimes and protecting the most vulnerable populations.
The charges brought against the four Russian soldiers are significant not only for seeking justice for Kirillo Alexandrov but also as a message to those who commit war crimes that they will be held accountable, regardless of their nationality. The U.S. Department of Justice’s commitment to prosecute war crimes against American citizens abroad demonstrates a strong stance against impunity and a commitment to upholding human rights.
Nonprofit groups like Project Dynamo fill a crucial gap in the international response to such crises. Their ability to navigate complex and dangerous environments, negotiate with conflicting parties, and execute successful rescue missions underscores the importance of supporting and facilitating their work. It is imperative that governments and the international community provide adequate resources and support to enable these organizations to continue their life-saving efforts.
Furthermore, the rescue of Kirillo Alexandrov raises questions about the role and responsibility of governments in protecting their citizens abroad. It is important for countries to develop comprehensive strategies and protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of their citizens in conflict zones and to provide the necessary support and assistance when needed.
In conclusion, the rescue of Kirillo Alexandrov by Project Dynamo serves as a powerful testament to the bravery and determination of nonprofit organizations working in conflict zones. It also highlights the need for governments and the international community to do more to address and prevent such atrocities from occurring in the first place. The case of Alexandrov reminds us of the urgency to protect human rights and ensure justice for victims of war crimes, regardless of their nationality.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
