A British supporter of Russian President Putin has shamelessly boasted when asked about his alleged involvement in war atrocities in Ukraine.
Graham Phillips, a former civil servant aged 46, is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Team. The investigation stems from incidents where Phillips filmed pigs feeding on deceased Ukrainian soldiers and mistreated a British prisoner of war named Aiden Aslin. Despite facing scrutiny for his actions, Phillips boldly glorified them.
Phillips, a fervent admirer of Putin, shared images of the media coverage in UK newspapers with his 18,000 followers on Telegram. He audaciously stated, “Friends in the UK, keep your copies, and I’ll sign them for you when I return to become Prime Minister.” Previously, Phillips callously celebrated the pig video he posted online in 2022.
In the disturbing video, a Russian soldier is seen handling the ID of a Ukrainian soldier while Phillips callously remarked, “Is Yuri tasty.” He callously added, “It’s a buffet. He’s also eating. Munching, munching, and munching. They’re not even shy.”
A spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Team confirmed that an investigation into Phillips commenced in 2022, and authorities are in contact with the Crown Prosecution Service.
The investigation is said to focus on several instances where Phillips allegedly violated the Geneva Convention, particularly Article 34, which emphasizes the respect for deceased individuals and their burial sites in conflicts.
Ukrainian politician Oleksiy Goncharenko condemned Phillips and commended UK authorities for pursuing the investigation. He criticized Phillips, labeling him as a propagandist and a war criminal, similar to other Russian propagandists. Goncharenko expressed relief that an inquiry has been initiated against Phillips and expressed hope that he would face justice as a war criminal.
Phillips, who has faced sanctions from the UK government, resides in the occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol and has openly admitted to recording the pig video in the Donbas region. Phillips defended his actions by asserting that the Ukrainian soldiers he filmed were hostile towards civilians in Donbas, who favored aligning with Russia rather than the Ukrainian government.
Phillips, known for his propaganda activities, criticized former US President Donald Trump’s attempts to broker peace in Ukraine. Phillips dismissed any peace proposal involving Russia maintaining control over Donbas, emphasizing that the region belongs to Russia and will remain so indefinitely.
The Metropolitan Police has been contacted by The Mirror for additional comments.