American-born “transgender” Ukrainian military spokesman JSgt. “Sarah” Ashton-Cirillo was suspended after the former U.S. soldier making the identification threatened to “hunt down” critics of America’s involvement in the Ukraine-Russia war.
Wednesday’s announcement of Ashton-Cirillo’s “immediate” suspension was made via an X account operated by the country’s Territorial Defense Forces (TDF), the military reserve of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), where the force’s command issued a statement regarding “some statements” by a TDF spokesman submitted in the “last days”.
1/3 Statement of the Territorial Defense Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine regarding some statements of the WOT spokesman, Junior Sergeant Sarah Ashton-Cirillo
— Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine (@TDF_UA) September 20, 2023
The statement said Ashton-Cirillo’s public comments “were not endorsed” by TDF and AFU leadership. “When conducting military operations against the aggressor, Ukraine’s defense forces strictly observe the norms of international humanitarian law.”
TDF command will conduct an official investigation into the circumstances of Ashton-Cirillo’s statements, promising that “appropriate decisions” will be made. Until then, Ashton-Cirillo will be suspended “immediately” pending the probe’s findings.
3/3 The WOT Command will conduct an official investigation into the circumstances of these statements. Appropriate decisions will be made.
Sergeant Sarah Ashton-Cirillo will be suspended immediately pending an investigation.— Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine (@TDF_UA) September 20, 2023
This was confirmed by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Ashton-Cirillo has been suspended from his duties because the investigation is “ongoing.”
Junior Sergeant Sarah Ashton-Cirillo has been suspended from her duties as press officer @TDF_UA while the investigation is ongoing. https://t.co/4nN9z2YiW8
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 20, 2023
In a 40-second video sent to X on September 13, the blonde with a bob told so-called “Russian propagandists” that they would be “hunted down.” The clip, seen as a direct threat to those critical of the war effort, comes from an episode of Ashton-Cirillo’s podcast “Russia Hates the Truth,” a show produced by TDF and submitted to TDF Media Studios Youtube channel.
Russia hates the truth that its obsessive focus on the Ukrainian volunteer simply allows the delicate of the integrity of the Ukrainian people to shine brightly. Next week, the teeth of the Russian devils will grind even harder and foam will come from their livid mouths [with] uncontrolled frenzy when the world sees the Kremlin’s favorite propagandist paying for his crimes. And this Putin puppet is only the first. All Russian war crimes propagandists will be prosecuted and justice will be served as we in Ukraine are led to this mission by faith in God, freedom and total liberation.
My response to Russian propagandists:
You may be obsessed, but that won’t stop us from hunting you. God, Freedom and Liberation is on the side of Ukraine.
Next week, the first piece of the propaganda puzzle will be brought to justice. pic.twitter.com/Bdr1yddFN3
— Sarah Ashton-Cirillo (Ukrainian media TDF) (@SarahAshtonLV) September 8, 2023
“There is a reason this warning was recorded in English” – Charlie Kirk, founder of TPUSA he noticed.
Ohio Republican Senator J.D. Vance summoned According to: Ashton-Cirillo’s menacing speech letter of September 15 The GOP senator sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.
Vance said the English-speaking transspox “looks directly at the camera and threatens physical violence to anyone spreading” what he considers “Russian propaganda.” Expressing concerns about the conduct of the now-suspended spokesman, Vance asked whether Ashton-Cirillo was a U.S. intelligence agent, whether there was reason to believe Ukrainian forces planned to commit acts of violence against war dissidents and whether the communications person was paid U.S. facilitate.
“I am concerned that American resources may support violence or threats of violence against people for expressing what they think. It is worth noting that any critic of America’s inconsistent policy in Ukraine, including many presidential candidates and American journalists, is smeared as a propagandist. “given the merits of these accusations, protected speech should not lead to threats of violence – otherwise the First Amendment means nothing,” Vance wrote to Biden administration officials.
In response to Vance, Ashton-Cirillo reiterated her position in another video posted Monday morning on Platform X, arguing that people allegedly espousing narratives perceived as pro-Russian sentiments have no right to be considered journalists. Therefore, they do not deserve the protection of free speech and should be prosecuted. “Russian propagandists and war criminals who spread lies and propagate false narratives are not journalists. They are information agents and an extension of Putin-Prigozhin’s efforts to spread chaos and havoc around the world. In Ukraine, we are not looking for revenge, only justice. For this reason, these enemies of freedom and democracy will have to answer for their crimes in court,” he said.
Then, directly responding to Vance’s question about whether he works “in some capacity for the U.S. government,” Ashton-Cirillo confirmed that he is an American serving as a “Ukrainian infantryman and combat medic, brought from ground zero and assigned to the TDF media team in the dual role of spokesman and Russian disinformation analyst.”
“I have never been more proud to be a citizen of the United States as I fight on behalf of the Ukrainian people against the tyranny of Russia and its various entities, all of whom are enemies of the United States,” spox said. “I will end by stating unequivocally that I am answerable to only three groups of people: my Ukrainian commanders, the Ukrainian people and the American taxpayer.”
Ashton-Cirillo X-tagged Vance in the post and mentioned him in the video.
Exclusive 🚨🚨🚨
Special Ukraine in knowledge:
My response to Senator Vance’s letter to the U.S. Secretaries of State and Defense and the Director of National Intelligence asking about my role in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/L6KuHgfyC5
— Sarah Ashton-Cirillo (Ukrainian media TDF) (@SarahAshtonLV) September 18, 2023
“Disgusting,” Vance reacted.
To everyone who asks: Yes, it’s true.
He is the spokesman for the English-speaking Ukrainian armed forces.
The same person posted a video last week in which he threatens violence against anyone who says something Ukrainians consider bad propaganda. Disgusting. https://t.co/X9Y3hHZoVe
— JD Vance (@JDVance1) September 18, 2023
How author of LGBTQ Nation, a 46-year-old biological male, has written extensively about Ukrainian “queer people of color”; LGBTQ equality in Ukraine; Kyiv gay pride; and how the U.S. Department of State “never stops working on behalf of LGBTQ Americans.”
