Eyewitness: “The phrase ‘Allah is weak’ affected them the most”

A witness to the shooting at the military training ground in the Belgorod region stated that the phrase “Allah is a coward” offended Tajik Muslims, and they shot the commander and other servicemen.

Photo: Internet

The Russian Telegram channel ASTRA reported details of the armed attack at the Russian military training ground in the Belgorod region, citing an injured serviceman.

ASTRA journalists managed to speak with a serviceman who claims he was injured during the shooting at the training ground in Soloti, Belgorod region, and witnessed the events firsthand. The serviceman is currently in a hospital in the city of Valuyki. ASTRA does not publish the name of the serviceman for his safety.

The channel’s editorial team reported that at the time of publication, they were unable to independently confirm the identity of either the narrator or the other individuals mentioned in the account.

According to the narrator:

“It all started when some of our soldiers — a Dagestani, an Azerbaijani, and an Adyghe — said that ‘this is not our war’ and tried to write reports stating that they no longer wanted to serve. Lieutenant Colonel Andrey Lapin, upon learning this through the company commander, gathered everyone and began to say that ‘this is a holy war.’ This all happened in the morning at the parade ground, where formations take place and the anthem is sung. A conflict began, and there was pushing, including from my company.

And the Tajiks responded to Lapin by saying that a holy war is when Muslims fight against infidels. Lapin said that ‘Allah is a coward if He does not allow you to fight for the country you swore an oath to.’ I personally think that this was what offended the most, the phrase that ‘Allah is a coward.’ This phrase shocked many of those who were standing at the parade ground. Because we also have Muslims among the officer corps — both Bashkirs and Tatars.

After the formation, Russians and Muslims continued the conflict, after which everyone dispersed and seemed to calm down. About an hour and a half later, around lunchtime, we were all sent together to the shooting range, and three Tajiks, who were on contract service, turned their rifles around, they had live ammunition, and shot our commander — Lieutenant Colonel Lapin, who died on the spot. They opened indiscriminate fire. There were both contract soldiers and mobilized personnel at the training ground. The dead that I personally saw — 29 people. The 30th was Lieutenant Colonel Lapin. This does not include the two Tajiks who were killed along with them — 32. I do not know exactly how many were injured; some were taken by helicopter to Belgorod, while others are currently with me in Valuyki.

Two to three minutes before the shooting began, we, the Muslims, were told to step aside. I remember the names of the shooters: Bikzot — he is a senior sergeant, another one is Anushe, and the third is junior sergeant Ami. I do not remember the last names; junior sergeant Ami ran away. And warrant officer Semyonov killed two of the shooters. Semyonov was in the room where the ammunition boxes are stored, where we are issued them. He had his service pistol; he was not present during the shooting itself, but he heard what was happening, came out, and shot both Tajiks. He hit Ami in the shoulder, but he managed to escape. He shot through the wire where the fence is; it is not even a fence, but bent wire, which is the place some used to go into the city when it was impossible to pass through the checkpoint. There is such an embankment, so he basically just stepped over. We were told that he is still at large; he has not been caught.

These particular Tajiks (who opened fire, — ed.) were ardent supporters of their faith. They constantly argued about not being allowed to perform their prayers on time; they were not allocated a prayer room,” the young man recounted.

However, today the Telegram channel ASTRA reported that the shooters were citizens of Tajikistan, Makhromon Mehrob and Aminzod Tojididdin.

The authorities of Tajikistan have not yet officially commented on the incident.