War in Ukraine: Alleged nun turned Russian sniper captured by Ukrainian forces

A ruthless Russian sniper who has been accused of killing 40 people, including civilians, has been captured by Ukrainian troops. Irina Starikova, who uses the military call name Bagira, was reportedly left to die by Russian forces after she was wounded, according to Ukraine’s Obozrevatel news website.

She apparently said:

They left, knowing that I was injured and had the opportunity to pick me up…hoping that I would die.

Hunted by Ukraine since 2014

Starikova is believed to have served with separatist forces as part of the 11th Specialised Special Operations Division in the Donestk region of eastern Ukraine. They have been fighting Kyiv with Russia’s help since 2014 when rebels supporting the then pro-Moscow government declared areas of eastern Ukraine part of wider Russia.

Starikova is reportedly from Serbia and has been hunted by Ukrainians since 2014. Her capture was announced on Ukraine’s official Armed Forces Twitter account on Friday alongside photos of her holding a rifle, saying Starikova 'shot our prisoners in 2014.'

The tweet translates to:

The Armed Forces of Ukraine captured the sniper "Bagira" from ORDLO, who shot our prisoners in 2014.

Responsible for 'killing 40 Ukrainians, including civilians'

Her capture has also been confirmed by a researcher at the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, Giorgi Revishvili. He tweeted, referring to how the breakaway Russian-speaking regions are called:

Ukrainian forces captured infamous sniper fighting on the side of ORDLO, call sign Bagira.

He added that Starikova is allegedly responsible for 'killing 40 Ukrainians including civilians.'

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According to Peacemaker, a website that researches crimes committed by Russian separatists in the Ukraine war, Starikova is 41-years-old. She is divorced with two daughters, aged 11 and nine.

However, there is some mystery surrounding her background, with some reports claiming she is a former handball player, nun, and convicted drug trafficker named Daniela Lazovic, who uses the false name of Irina Starikova.