In a ceremony held at Las Vegas City Hall, Ukrainian transgender military spokesperson Michael Cirillo, who now identifies as Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, was honored for his contributions to promoting inclusivity and diversity in the armed forces, receiving certificates of recognition from prominent U.S. political figures, including Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Representative Dina Titus, and former Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak.
However, recent comments by Ashton-Cirillo have sparked controversy and led to his indefinite suspension by the Ukrainian military pending an investigation. The spokesperson’s statements, issued in English, indicated violence against those perceived as anti-Ukraine war, including “hunt down and kill foreign journalists critical of the war.”
Ukraine Territorial Defense Forces have clarified that his comments were not authorized. The statement also emphasized the military’s commitment to upholding international humanitarian law and respecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their opinions or affiliations.
Ashton-Cirillo, 46, drew national media attention in 2021 when he released records of conversations from his time working with Republican candidates, documenting efforts to recruit members of the Proud Boys as part of efforts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. In 2022, he leaked a controversial text exchange with the Republican Nevada Attorney General nominee, Sigal Chattah.
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