The Man in the Matching Uniform: Investigating a Rusich Atrocity in Syria

Bellingcat uses open-source methods to link Alexey Milchakov of the neo-Nazi Rusich unit (affiliated with Wagner) to a censored photo taken near Palmyra, Syria, by geolocating the scene, aligning timelines with observed fires, and matching unique camouflage stitching patterns seen in Milchakov’s social media images. The investigation situates Rusich/Wagner activity in the area circa early May 2017, highlights the group’s violent propaganda practices, and cites expert opinions that the depicted actions could constitute war crimes.