Paedophile who fought for Putin rapes two girls after threatening to blow them up with a grenade

A soldier, 42, who fought for Putin in Ukraine raped two schoolgirls the day after he returned home from his military service, say police.

The suspected paedophile threatened girls aged ten and 12 that he would blow them up with a grenade unless they submitted to him.

Wearing the uniform of 'convicts' army Wagner, he approached them near their school in Novosibirsk and forced them behind garages where he sexually attacked them.

The girls told their parents about the alleged rapes and said the man was wearing military fatigues and an insignia that matches Wagner private military company - showing a skull.

The alleged rapist - named only Sergei - was seen on a video as he was brought handcuffed to his interrogation.

The alleged rapist - named only Sergei - was seen on a video as he was brought handcuffed to his interrogation

He confessed and told police where he had taken the girls, say law enforcement.

Many Wagner recruits were convicts freed from jails across Russia to fight in Ukraine.

After six months at the front, Vladimir Putin promised them a pardon and liberty.

The suspect now faces between 15 and 20 years in prison if convicted.

He was remanded in custody for two months pending further investigations.

Critics of Putin for emptying the jails to send manpower to the war front have forecast a crime explosion when large numbers of convicts are pardoned.

Those sent to fight include murderers and rapists.

'Their minds will be warped even more by this appalling violence and killing at the frontline,' said one critic.

Pictured: Sergei being taken to interrogation. Wearing the uniform of 'convicts' army Wagner, he approached the girls near their school in Novosibirsk and forced them behind garages where he sexually attacked them