The missing American who’d traveled to Ukraine years ago to aid Russian separatists in Donbas was found dead in the country’s war-torn eastern region. The body of Russell Bentley, a 64-year-old U.S. Army vet, was recovered in the Russian-controlled region of Donetsk Oblast, Reuters reported. Between 2014 and 2017, Bentley — a self-proclaimed communist from Austin, Texas — fought alongside pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.
Conflicting reports suggest Bentley was abducted by Russian soldiers and killed, possibly because they thought he was an American spy. On social media, unsubstantiated claims circulated saying Bentley was raped prior to his murder, and was either shot eight times in the head or decapitated. Bentley is said to have vanished while helping the victims of a Ukrainian strike on Donetsk.
Pro-Kremlin Texan Russell Bentley Found Dead in Ukraine
Police in Donetsk said on 8 April that Bentley had gone missing after going to help victims of a Ukrainian strike on Donetsk. On a Telegram channel previously run by him, Bentley’s wife, Lyudmila, said he had been “abducted” by Russian soldiers from a tank battalion, and called on them to let him go.
US Citizen Who Fought With Pro-Russia Separatists in Ukraine Reported Dead | Russia | The Guardian
