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| Russia puts Ukrainian army’s transgender ex-spokesperson on terrorist list | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| US-born Sarah Ashton-Cirillo has repeatedly made thinly-veiled death threats to Russian journalists | US-born Sarah Ashton-Cirillo has repeatedly made thinly-veiled death threats to Russian journalists |
| Russia’s financial watchdog Rosfinmonitoring has placed a former spokesperson for Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces, Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, on a list of individuals believed to have ties to extremist or terrorist activities. The US national, who is transgender, has, on multiple occasions, directed death threats at Russian journalists. | Russia’s financial watchdog Rosfinmonitoring has placed a former spokesperson for Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces, Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, on a list of individuals believed to have ties to extremist or terrorist activities. The US national, who is transgender, has, on multiple occasions, directed death threats at Russian journalists. |
| Ashton-Cirillo, who was born male, decided to transition in 2019. In March 2022, she arrived in Ukraine as a freelance journalist but later enlisted in the country’s armed forces. She was appointed a spokesperson for the Territorial Defense Forces last summer before being suspended in September. | Ashton-Cirillo, who was born male, decided to transition in 2019. In March 2022, she arrived in Ukraine as a freelance journalist but later enlisted in the country’s armed forces. She was appointed a spokesperson for the Territorial Defense Forces last summer before being suspended in September. |
| Russian media outlets have reported that Cirillo appeared on the list on Monday. Rosfinmonitoring's decision means that any bank accounts she may have with Russian banks will be frozen. | Russian media outlets have reported that Cirillo appeared on the list on Monday. Rosfinmonitoring's decision means that any bank accounts she may have with Russian banks will be frozen. |
| Last September, Russia’s Investigative Committee launched a probe into the then-spokesperson’s comments regarding Russian journalists. | Last September, Russia’s Investigative Committee launched a probe into the then-spokesperson’s comments regarding Russian journalists. |
| Several days later, Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that “Sergeant Sarah Ashton-Cirillo will be suspended immediately pending the investigation” of statements she had made, which had not been approved by her commanders. | Several days later, Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that “Sergeant Sarah Ashton-Cirillo will be suspended immediately pending the investigation” of statements she had made, which had not been approved by her commanders. |
| While the official statement stopped short of revealing what remarks had led to Ashton-Cirillo’s suspension, several media outlets alleged at the time that a video containing threats to Russian journalists might have been the last straw. | While the official statement stopped short of revealing what remarks had led to Ashton-Cirillo’s suspension, several media outlets alleged at the time that a video containing threats to Russian journalists might have been the last straw. |
| In the clip, she vowed that “Russia’s war criminal propagandists will all be hunted down, and justice will be served.” | In the clip, she vowed that “Russia’s war criminal propagandists will all be hunted down, and justice will be served.” |
| Shortly thereafter, US Republican Senator J.D. Vance, who is a prominent critic of Washington’s Ukraine policy, sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, inquiring if Ashton-Cirillo was on the US’ payroll. | Shortly thereafter, US Republican Senator J.D. Vance, who is a prominent critic of Washington’s Ukraine policy, sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, inquiring if Ashton-Cirillo was on the US’ payroll. |
| The lawmaker also expressed concern that “American resources could be supporting violence or the threat of violence against people for speaking their mind.” | The lawmaker also expressed concern that “American resources could be supporting violence or the threat of violence against people for speaking their mind.” |
| Vance pointed out that “any critic of America’s incoherent policy in Ukraine has been slandered as a propagandist, including multiple presidential candidates and American journalists.” | Vance pointed out that “any critic of America’s incoherent policy in Ukraine has been slandered as a propagandist, including multiple presidential candidates and American journalists.” |
| Days after her suspension as Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces spokesperson, Ashton-Cirillo reiterated wholesale threats to Russian journalists in several phone conversations with Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus, who were posing as former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko. | Days after her suspension as Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces spokesperson, Ashton-Cirillo reiterated wholesale threats to Russian journalists in several phone conversations with Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus, who were posing as former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko. |
| The former official said, among other things, that Russian journalists, such as Vladimir Solovyov and Olga Skabeeva were “war criminals” and “terrorists” who should not be allowed to hide. | The former official said, among other things, that Russian journalists, such as Vladimir Solovyov and Olga Skabeeva were “war criminals” and “terrorists” who should not be allowed to hide. |