VIDEO: How Russian Soldiers Ask for Cigarettes and Then Shoot a Civilian in the Back, CNN

CNN has released a video that was recorded on March 16 near an auto repair shop on the outskirts of Kyiv. The network notes that the events depicted in the video are currently being investigated as a possible war crime. CNN has also identified the victims: the owner of the auto repair shop and 68-year-old Leonid Plyats, who worked as a security guard in that area.

The surveillance footage obtained by the network shows five men, apparently Russian soldiers, attempting to break into the auto repair shop building. The shop owner approaches them with another man, raising their hands. The soldiers search him, exchange a few words, and the men leave. Shortly after, the soldiers open fire on them from behind. One of the men died on the spot, while the other, after being shot in the back, managed to get up and call for help but bled to death.

When the surviving man called for assistance, he recounted that the Russian soldiers came to ask for cigarettes, and after they turned to leave, the soldiers fired at them.

CNN reporters sought a response from the Russian Ministry of Defense, but they have not commented on the incident.

It is reminded that Russian soldiers were present in the Kyiv region until the end of March.