Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree awarding the medal “For Courage” to 22-year-old Alexei Zasov from Novouralsk, who served under contract with Russia’s paratrooper brigade and allegedly was killed in Ukraine.
The head of Novouralsk, Vlamimir Mashkov, spoke of the award to the Russian publication Znak.com, reports Espreso TV, December 5.
According to Mashkov, on December 9, the day dedicated to the “Heroes of the Fatherland,” he will personally present the medal to the mother of the deceased soldier, Tatiana Zasova. The ceremony will take place at the city memorial to soldiers killed in local conflicts, and Zazov’s name will be honored in perpetuity with a commemorative plaque that will be placed there, Mashkov said.
Information on the death of Alexei Zasov on Ukrainian territory in the beginning of September this year was published on the GRuzz200.net portal, which publishes information on Russian military actions in Ukraine.
The site posted a photograph of the soldier, a link to his page on VKontakte (Russian social network — Ed.), the number of his military unit — 73612 (Ulyanovsk) and his status: killed. The date of death, according to the site, was August 29, 2014. Alexei’s common-law wife, Yulia Ganiyeva, said Zasov was killed on Ukrainian territory when he accompanied a humanitarian transport.
“At the recruitment office we were told that he died in the Russian Federation. Allegedly their convoy was hit during a transfer. But this is not true. I contacted Lyosha’s army friends who said they were sent to Ukraine where they were shot. Vyacheslav Kovalyov from the Kurgan Oblast was there together with my husband. They have already written about him; he died of his injuries. Then they took Lyosha captive and only then shot him in the head. They transferred the body to us in a closed coffin, which they would not allow us to open,” Yulia said.
As previously reported, Russian leadership has repeatedly denied that Russian troops are fighting in Ukraine.
