A Russian general close to Putin boasted to his associates about torturing Ukrainian soldiers. He sent his wife photos of the severed ears of the prisoners.

Major General Roman Demurchiev, the deputy commander of the 20th Army of the Russian Federation, was involved in a controversy after sending photographs of Ukrainian soldiers' severed ears in his personal correspondence, including to his wife, Alexandra. An investigation conducted by the 'Schema' and 'Sistema' projects analyzed his messages from 2022-2024, highlighting a cynical and unempathetic behavior.

In a message from October 18, 2022, Demurchiev discussed the capture of Ukrainian soldiers, attaching a macabre photograph and suggesting that he would create a "garland" from the severed ears. This correspondence reflects a provocative attitude and a lack of fear of consequences. Demurchiev, at the age of 49, is an active participant in Russia's invasion of Ukraine and was promoted to the rank of major general in 2023. This situation underscores the brutality of the conflict and its impact on the morale of the soldiers involved.