News Feed

Ukraine confirms murder of two teenagers in Russian-occupied Berdiansk

1 min read

Following an independent investigation, Ukrainian authorities have confirmed the murder of two teenagers by Russian troops in the occupied city of Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the Berdiansk City Military Administration reported on the Telegram messaging app.

The Russian troops killed two 16-year-olds, Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov, in a shootout in Berdiansk, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said earlier on June 25.

Lubinets also released a video self-filmed by Ohannisian in which he has a rifle in his hand and says “(The plan is to kill) two (people) for certain. That’s it, it’s death, guys. Goodbye! Glory to Ukraine!”

Because the boys were killed on Russian-occupied territory, much still remains unknown about the exact circumstances of their deaths.

Russian occupying forces in Berdiansk charged the two boys back in May of conspiring with Ukraine's Armed Forces and with alleged plans to sabotage railways that Russia uses to supply its military in Ukraine.

Prior to the charges in September 2022, Russian troops abducted Ohannisian for five days, beating and torturing him to force a confession that he was preparing to sabotage Russian military logistics.

"This is a tragedy for our entire country. Brave guys, the pride of the nation. We sympathize with the loss of Tihran and Mykyta's relatives and friends," the Berdiansk City Military Administration wrote.

Russia reportedly kills two Ukrainian teenagers in occupied Berdiansk, Ukraine launches investigation
Russian troops killed two 16-year-olds, Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov, in a shootout in the occupied Berdiansk, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on June 25. His office later informed the Kyiv Independent that they are still trying to confirm this information.
Article image
Avatar
Haley Zehrung

News Editor

Haley Zehrung is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. Previously, she was a Title VIII Fellow at the Department of State, where she conducted archival research in Kyrgyzstan. She has also worked at C4ADS, the Middle East Institute, and Barnard College. Haley completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts at Columbia University in Political Science and Eurasian Studies.

Read more
News Feed
Video

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, war has become a daily reality for thousands of Ukrainian children. Some Ukrainian military units, such as the Azov Brigade, offer boot camps for teenagers to teach them the basics of self-defense, first aid, dry firing, and other survival skills — helping them prepare for both the realities of today and the uncertainties of the future.

Show More