Known by his nom de guerre Strelkov, or 鈥渟hooter,鈥� Igor Girkin is a prominent rebel commander. A native of Russia, Mr. Girkin oversaw rebel forces in Slovyansk before being pushed back to Dontesk by an Ukrainian offensive. Human Rights Watch cites allegations of under his reign. He has a long history of including those in Transnistria, , and Chechnya. According to several reports, Girkin is an who especially enjoys the period of the Russian Civil War.
Girkin first appeared in Crimea before heading to eastern Ukraine. He has , Russia鈥檚 security service, until March 31, 2013. But he has in eastern Ukraine. As with many things concerning Girkin, it remains unclear who, if anyone, gives him his orders. On July 17, when Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down, social media postings 鈥� which were quickly deleted 鈥� showed someone believed to be Girkin bragging about shooting down a plane. The European Union on April 29.
