Recent investigations by the Ukrainian media outlet “Schemes” have uncovered a significant cache of communications from Major General Roman Dymurchiev, currently serving as the deputy commander of the 20th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Armed Forces. The leaked messages reveal his criticisms of the Russian military’s leadership and operational challenges, alongside disturbing accounts of alleged war crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Dymurchiev’s correspondence, obtained from sources within the Ukrainian military, includes gigabytes of messages and voice recordings. He previously commanded the 42nd Division during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and was promoted to major general by President Vladimir Putin in 2023. By 2024, he was appointed as the deputy commander of the 20th Army.
In one voice message, Dymurchiev expressed frustration with his superior, Lieutenant General Oleg Mityayev, stating, “The commander is a fool, scared for his own skin. He sent all the deputies to the front lines.” This comment reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the command structure within the Russian military.
The communications also reveal a pattern of derogatory remarks about fellow commanders and military units. Dymurchiev described interactions with Mityayev as contentious, noting a near-physical confrontation due to Mityayev’s aggressive demeanor.
Moreover, Dymurchiev’s messages include graphic discussions of torture and killings of Ukrainian prisoners. He referred to these acts as commonplace, indicating a troubling normalization of such violence within the ranks. In one exchange, he detailed the killing of a captured Ukrainian soldier, dismissing the act with a casual tone.
Investigators from “Schemes” have verified the authenticity of the data, collaborating with the National Center for Media Expertise in the U.S. and the DARC data research center. They found no evidence of tampering and corroborated the events described in the communications with testimonies from Ukrainian soldiers engaged in combat against Russian forces.
Among the more alarming revelations is Dymurchiev’s boasting about instances of torture, including sharing images of mutilated prisoners. He even offered to gift a captured soldier to a colleague, indicating a severe disregard for human life.
In a notable instance, he described a captured soldier from Zaporizhzhia, who had been held for over a year before being exchanged in 2025. The former prisoner, who declined to speak on camera due to ongoing psychological distress, reported severe abuse during his captivity.
Attempts by “Schemes” to reach Dymurchiev for comment were unsuccessful. Upon being questioned about the allegations of war crimes, he abruptly ended the call and subsequently blocked further communication.
The investigation sheds light on the internal dynamics of the Russian military and raises serious questions regarding accountability for war crimes. As the conflict continues, the implications of these revelations may extend beyond individual commanders, potentially affecting the broader operational integrity of the Russian Armed Forces.
An investigation by "Schemes" reveals troubling communications from Russian General Roman Dymurchiev, highlighting military discontent and allegations of war crimes against Ukrainian prisoners. The findings raise serious questions about accountability within the Russian military.
Source: Схеми (Радіо Свобода)