Russian warlord who led Neo-Nazi 'Sparta' mob is shot dead during battle in eastern Ukraine town in fresh blow to Putin's floundering invasion
- Vladimir Zhoga was killed Volnovakha, Ukraine as Russia continues its invasion
- He was the leader of rebel military group Sparta Battalion in the so-called DPR
- Zhoga's kill was yesterday confirmed in a Telegram post from Denis Pushilin
- Follow all the latest updates on the Ukraine war by following MailOnline's live blog here
By ELMIRA TANATAROVA FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 04:27 AEDT, 7 March 2022 | UPDATED: 04:32 AEDT, 7 March 2022
A leader of a rebel military group in the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), blamed for brutal war crimes and shooting Ukrainian POWs since its formation in 2014, was shot dead in battle.
Russian warlord Vladimir Zhoga, who headed the Neo-Nazi 'Sparta Battalion', was killed in Volnovakha, Ukraine, following the eleventh day of Russia's invasion as Putin's troops fail to make big wins.
Zhoga's kill was yesterday confirmed in a Telegram channel post from Denis Pushilin, head of the breakaway DPR.
Vladimir Zhoga, pictured, was killed in Volnovakha, Ukraine, following the eleventh day of Russia's invasion as Putin's troops fail to make big wins
He wrote: '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...
Soldiers of the Sparta Battalion, which was set up in 2014, pose for a group photograph in 2019
Zhoga became the group's leader in 2016 after his predecessor Arsen Pavlov died following an IED explosion in the lift of his apartment
'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!'
Zhoga became the group's leader in 2016 after his predecessor Arsen Pavlov died following an IED explosion in the lift of his apartment.
Pavlov was accused of several war crimes, and in 2015 the Kyiv Post shared audio of him, in a phone call with the news outlet, saying he shot '15 prisoners dead'.
'I don't give a f**** about what I am accused of, believe it or not,' he added.
'I shot 15 prisoners dead. I don't give a f****. No comment. I kill if I want to. I don't if I don't.'
A second attempt to evacuate refugees from Mariupol was scuppered again today after the city was shelled just minutes into an agreed ceasefire.
Some 400,000 residents were hoped to be evacuated from 12pm today, with an initial agreement in place until 9pm, but residents are now having to take cover in bomb shelters without electricity and water.
Sparta Battalion members in 2020, taking part in a Victory Day military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II
It followed similar attempts on Saturday when plans to evacuate refugees were halted when shelling recommenced 45 minutes into a ceasefire.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said: 'Amid devastating scenes of human suffering in Mariupol, a second attempt today to start evacuating an estimated 200,000 people out of the city came to a halt.
'The failed attempts yesterday and today underscore the absence of a detailed and functioning agreement between the parties to the conflict.'
However, in a telephone call with French President Emmanual Macron, Putin blamed Kyiv for the failed evacuations.
Putin instead claimed 'Ukrainian nationalists' prevented civilians and foreign citizens from leaving the port city and neighbouring Volnovakha.
But Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky today warned that Russian forces are preparing to shell Odessa - a historic port city on the Black Sea coast.
In a video address, the Ukrainian leader said: 'They are preparing to bomb Odessa.
'Russians have always come to Odessa. They have always felt only warmth in Odessa. Only sincerity. And now what? Bombs against Odessa? Artillery against Odessa? Missiles against Odessa?
'It will be a war crime. It will be a historical crime.'
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As this tally of misery increases over the coming days and months, these innocent victims of a tyrant will require accommodation, schools and medical support.
All donations to the Mail Ukraine Appeal will be distributed to charities and aid organisations providing such essential services.
In the name of charity and compassion, we urge all our readers to give swiftly and generously.
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Russian warlord who led Neo-Nazi 'Sparta' mob shot dead during battle in eastern Ukraine
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