The cigarette shot, new Ukrainian hero

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While the man executed in this video, which appears authentic according to the UN, has not been identified, he has become a symbol of a nation’s resistance.

By Boris Mabillard

Lman wears camouflage with a crest in Ukrainian colors on his upper arm. He stares at the camera casually smoking a cigarette next to what appears to be a trench surrounded by scrawny trees. A Russian voiceover says, “Start the video now. The Ukrainian does not lower his eyes and replies boldly: « Glory to Ukraine! » (“Glory to Ukraine!”) The next moment, he falls dead, mown down by a burst of automatic fire. The twelve-second video ends when we hear the voices of two men, off camera, insulting in Russian the prisoner they have just executed.

The poor quality, heavily pixelated video was first shared on social media in Russia and then went viral in Ukraine, sparking a wave…