The preliminary investigation by Russia’s Investigative Committee accused four Russian servicemen of the kidnap and murder of the American Russell Bentley, a Russian “war correspondent.”
It says he was filming the aftermath of a Ukranian attack when they captured him. I guess they didn’t appreciate being filmed in an ass-whupped state? He was probably gathering footage to try to make the Ukrainians look like savages. But those 3 guys needed someone to unload on apparently and the American with the camera looked like a good target.
For them he was like a black nazi. He just stumbled upon a group of those who weren't in on his bit and didn't know he is a privileged special guest. That's been said, he had an incredibly long run in that role in a military context, I could've lost a lot of bets with him if I cared about the guy.
This is why you need to be very careful when pledging an allegiance to any organization. Some are good, some are good but flawed, and some are ok with outright war crimes. Those tend to be also ok with murder of even their own members.