March 17, 2026
Telegram is full of channels posting videos of Ukrainian POWs being killed and their bodies desecrated. Many are run by teenagers.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, Telegram has seen the rise of Russian-language channels specializing in graphic footage from the front, including combat killings, executions of prisoners, and the desecration of corpses. The independent outlet iStories examined more than 50 of these channels and identified the individuals behind some of them. They determined that these channels are run mostly not by soldiers, but by civilians — often teenagers. Meduza shares the investigation’s main findings.
TL;DR
- Russian-language Telegram channels specializing in graphic war footage have emerged since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
- An iStories investigation found these channels are often run by civilians, including teenagers, not soldiers.
- Channels monetize through advertising and subscriber donations, with managers as young as 15.
- Some creators view the graphic content as part of an 'information war' or a truthful depiction of the conflict.
- Footage of prisoner killings and corpse abuse may originate from military headquarters where sensitive material is sometimes leaked.
- Founders and administrators range from teenagers to adults working in various civilian roles.
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