The controversial American transgender spokesperson for Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces Sarah Ashton-Cirillo (born Michael Cirillo) has been suspended indefinitely by the Ukrainian military, also pending an investigation. According to an official Ukrainian military statement, Ashton-Cirillo's recent statements regarding "hunting down" dissidents and "propagandists" were not approved...
2/3 The statements of JSgt Ashton-Cirillo in recent days were not approved by the command of the TDF or the command of the AFU. When conducting military operations against the aggressor, the defense forces of Ukraine strictly observe the norms of international humanitarian law.
— Ukraine Territorial Defense Forces (@TDF_UA) September 20, 2023
3/3 The command of the TDF will conduct an official investigation into the circumstances of these statements. Appropriate decisions would be taken.
— Ukraine Territorial Defense Forces (@TDF_UA) September 20, 2023
Sergeant Sarah Ashton-Cirillo will be suspended immediately pending the investigation.
And it's additionally been confirmed by the country's Defense Ministry:
Junior Sergeant Sarah Ashton-Cirillo has been suspended from the duties of the spokesperson of the @TDF_UA while an investigation is underway. https://t.co/4nN9z2YiW8
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 20, 2023
As we detailed below, Ashton-Cirillo had within the last days been in a verbal fight with influential Republican Senator J.D. Vance.
Given the "hunting down" video had been online for well over a week, and Kiev did nothing, the timing of the suspension by Ukraine's military seems more out of concern for Zelensky's lobbying efforts in D.C. than anything else.
