Azatbek Asanbekovich Omurbekov was born on 17 September 1983. There are conflicting reports where he was born. Social media suggests he was born in Jaynak, Nukus, Karakalpakstan in the Uzbek SSR. Media reports indicate that Omurbekov was born in Soviet Uzbekistan.[7] His grandfather, a veteran of the Eastern Front during World War II, is from Nukus, Karakalpakstan. His father, Federal Security Service (FSB) Colonel Asan Omurbekov, served in the military all his life, including guarding the Uzbek border for nearly 10 years. His brother, Askarbek Omurbekov, is reportedly lieutenant colonel in the Russian FSB.[8]
Russian military career
In 2014, Omurbekov received an award for outstanding service from then Russian deputy defense minister Dmitry Bulgakov.[7]
In November 2021, Omurbekov reportedly received a blessing from the Russian Orthodox Church.[9][10] Omurbekov and the 64th Brigade's role in Bucha were first reported by Ukrainian NGO InformNapalm.[11]
In April 2022, the United Kingdom sanctioned Omurbekov for his "involvement in the Bucha massacre".[4] In May, Canada added Omurbekov to its sanctions list.[5] In June, European Union sanctioned Omurbekov for his role as commander of the 64th Brigade, claiming Omurbekov had "direct responsibility in killings, rapes and torture in Bucha."[3] The United States sanctioned the entire 64th Brigade for "killing numerous civilians, detained civilians, beat detained civilians, conducted mock executions of civilians, dismembered civilians including removing parts of their scalps and removing their limbs, burned civilians, and seized and damaged civilian homes and property" in Bucha.[6]