Alexey Kostrikin had been hailed as a "war hero" in Russia, but soon deserted the frontline and resorted to a campaign of murder and rape against citizens of his own country View 4 Images Alexey Kostrikin was shot in the legs by Russian law enforcements for allegedly murdering two people and raping a third (Image: belpepel/ East2west News)

A rapist freed from jail to fight for Vladimir Putin's forces has been arrested after going on the run and killing two men and raping a woman. Alexey Kostrikin, 40, was hailed as a Russian ‘war hero’ before going on the run from his military unit. ‌

Footage shows the fugitive soldier moaning after he was shot in the legs in Novaya Tavolzhanka, in Russia ’s Belgorod region following a massive manhunt. He left his hiding place to buy beer

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