In a shocking development, two Russian soldiers have been arrested on suspicion of brutally killing a family of nine, including two young children, in the Russian-occupied town of Volnovakha in eastern Ukraine. The incident, which took place last Friday night, marks the first known case of Russia arresting its own soldiers on charges of killing Ukrainian civilians since the invasion in 2022.

According to reports from Russian media, the suspects allegedly used machine guns equipped with silencers and attacked the family while they were asleep. Graphic photographs circulating online display the horrifying aftermath, with bloodied and bullet-riddled bodies in beds, some of them still locked in an embrace.

The Russian prosecutors mentioned that the detained soldiers hailed from Russia's far east and suggested that the motive behind the killings may have been a "domestic conflict." However, Ukrainian officials have previously stated their belief that Russian soldiers targeted the Kapkanets family due to their refusal to give up their home. The Ukrainian government has also initiated its own investigation into the crime.

Neighbours of the victims in Volnovakha have blamed Russian soldiers for the heinous act, with one stating, "All of the neighbours are saying that the killers were in the military... We're all scared." This incident adds to the mounting evidence collected by independent human rights groups, journalists, and the UN, highlighting the systematic war crimes committed by Russian soldiers during the invasion of Ukraine.

Volnovakha, an industrial town, was captured by Russia shortly after the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Kremlin continues to deny targeting civilians, despite the growing number of allegations and evidence.

It is worth noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously awarded a brigade accused of war crimes in Bucha with the honorary title of "guards," commending them for their "great heroism and courage." In addition, Moscow has made efforts to suppress soldiers from speaking out. Last year, a Russian soldier who confessed to killing a civilian in Ukraine received a suspended jail sentence on charges of spreading "fake news" about the army.

As the investigation into the tragic killings in Volnovakha unfolds, the international community awaits further details and hopes for justice to be served for the innocent victims and their grieving families.