Ruslan Shingirey holding an axe.

This distressing scene involves a Russian soldier lamenting, “I’ll be killed in prison,” after receiving a life sentence for the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl.

Ruslan Shingirey, a 26-year-old truck driver, was convicted of the abduction and suffocation of young Masha Zyubina, followed by a heinous sexual assault, securing him a life term in prison.

Ruslan Shingirey holding an axe.
Ruslan Shingirey was sentenced to life behind bars after he was found guilty of kidnapping, suffocating, raping and murdering a schoolgirlCredit: East2West
Photo of Masha Zyubina.
Eight-year-old Masha Zyubina was lured into the former soldiers truckCredit: East2West
Ruslan Shingirey in handcuffs with police officers.
The sick individual admitted to the crimes in courtCredit: East2West

The brutal murder came shortly after he was demobilised by the Russian army.

Shingirey told a court he gave the girl a lift in his truck after promising to drive her home.

Haunting footage showed him in his truck as he stalked the girl along a village road. 

Instead of dropping her home, Shingirey confessed to “driving to a wooded area, and tying her hands”.

He told prosecutors: “It was clear she was frightened. She didn’t say or do anything.”

The paedophile then said he put a plastic bag over her head and raped her.

He initially admitted to leaving her for dead following the attack but is now believed to have murdered her.

Shingirey was asked shortly before being sentenced: “After the rape, did you kill her straight away, strangle her?”

He chillingly responded: “I didn’t take the plastic bag off her head.”

In court, the convicted paedophile expressed his anxiety over the possibility of being murdered by fellow inmates due to the nature of his crime.

Putin’s ‘top sniper’ dubbed Executioner exposed as a ‘CHEAT who faked wounds’

His fear for his safety was evident even before his arrest, as police had to protect his home in Dorozhny, Rostov region, from enraged locals intent on dispensing their own justice.

The court later convicted him of abduction, rape, other violent sexual acts, and murder by strangulation.

Masha’s aunt Olga Sharnikova asked at the girl’s funeral how such a killing could happen in a “humane society”.

The shocking case is believed to be one of hundreds of examples of violent crimes committed by war returnees in Russia. 

A report from Ukraine highlighted the brutality of those involved in the conflict, describing them as individuals who kill indiscriminately and take pleasure in their crimes, all for monetary gain.

Speaking on Shingirey’s case in particluar, the report added: “Shingirey is calm because he knows that nothing will happen to him.”

They believe that he will serve only a short time in jail before being shipped back off to the battlefield.

Putin has quashed the criminal cases and sentences of tens of thousands of Russians so they can fight in his war. 

Last year, Putin signed a bill that enables offenders to dodge prosecution and criminal proceedings against them if they enlist to fight in Ukraine.

Legal professionals criticized the judicial approach, arguing it compromises the core principles of criminal justice, which demand accountability, The Times reports.

Ekaterina Schulmann, a non-resident scholar at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre in Berlin, said on her weekly YouTube show: “This is a daring legal experiment on society.

“You have to be really desperate to do it — or you have to display sheer legal nihilism and an utter lack of understanding of how law works and why we need it.

“No society can carry on like this: it cannot encourage crime and murders at this level.”

Ruslan Shingirey in a courtroom.
Shingirey in court as he said he fears for his life in jailCredit: East2West
Surveillance footage of a young girl near a tow truck.
Haunting footage shows Masha moments before she was picked up by Shingirey in his truckCredit: East2West
Ruslan Shingirey, a convicted murderer, in handcuffs with police.
Shingirey was led into court in handcuffsCredit: East2West
You May Also Like
Palisades Fire suspect hit with new charges in grand jury indictment

Uber Passenger Says Palisades Fire Suspect Gave Off ‘Incel Energy’ During Unsettling Ride

A passenger who says he rode with the man accused of starting…
Search underway for suspect after 2 people shot inside Delaware hospital: police

Manhunt Launched After 2 People Shot Inside Delaware Hospital, Police Say

Two people were shot Tuesday at a hospital in Delaware, triggering a…
Chicago shootings this weekend: At least 10 shot, 2 fatally, in gun violence across city, police department says

Arlington Heights Police Search for Suspect in Teen Sexual Assault at Eastman Parking Garage

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) — Police in north suburban Arlington Heights are…
Chicago, Illinois weather forecast: Tornado Watch issued for parts of Chicago area | Radar

Chicago Weather Alert: Tornado Watch Issued Across Parts of the Chicago Area — Live Radar Updates

Severe weather is expected to impact the Chicago area on Wednesday, with…
Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady amid resurgent inflation

Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady as Inflation Pressures Reemerge

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday as…
Coast Guard opens fire on boat smuggling 25 Chinese nationals near Florida after it refused to stop

US Coast Guard Fires on Smuggling Boat Carrying 25 Chinese Migrants Off Florida After Pursuit

The U.S. Coast Guard fired on a boat off the Florida coast…
Uptown shooting: Chicago police shooting near Clark and Argyle injures suspect in fatal Ravenswood shooting of condo board pres.

Uptown Police Shooting Near Clark & Argyle: Suspect in Fatal Ravenswood Condo Board President Murder Injured

CHICAGO (WLS) — A condominium board president was shot and killed in…
Air Force identifies 8 crew members killed in B-52 Stratofortress crash at Edwards Air Force Base

Air Force Identifies Eight Service Members Killed in B-52 Stratofortress Crash at Edwards Air Force Base

Officials on Wednesday released the names of the eight people killed in…
Pence: Trump's Iran Deal 'Smacks of Appeasement'

Pence Says Trump’s Iran Deal Approach ‘Smacks of Appeasement’

Former Vice President Mike Pence sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s emerging deal…
A look back at Barack Obama's rise from community organizer to first Black US president ahead of Chicago Obama Center opening

Barack Obama’s Journey From Community Organizer to America’s First Black President, as Chicago’s Obama Center Nears Opening

CHICAGO (WLS) — Barack Obama’s rise from little-known politician to president of…
Alaska woman uses weapon to survive terrifying bear attack after predator mauls pooch: 'I thought I was dead'

Alaska Woman Fights Off Bear Attack With Weapon After Dog Is Mauled: “I Thought I Was Dead”

A mushroom-foraging trip on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula took a frightening turn earlier…
Couple recalls narrow escape from Merrillville, Indiana tornado as severe weather tomorrow includes tornado risk, strong storms

Couple Recalls Close Call in Merrillville Tornado as Tomorrow’s Severe Weather Brings New Tornado Threat

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (WLS) — A week after a tornado ripped through Merrillville,…