The pair allegedly took puppies from people looking for new owners for the pets. Picture: Social media

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES!

Cruel images of tortured cats and dogs have caused deep shock in Khabarovsk after being posted on social media. The animals were beaten to death. The were struck with a bat, bound, stabbed, had their eyes gouged out, and hanged.

Users of anonymous internet-forum Dvach alleged that two girls from Khabarovsk were behind the cruelty. Their alleged private chat was revealed, where the female students, aged 21 and 17, discussed plans for taking animals from a shelter and killing them.

The animals were beaten to death. The were struck with a bat, bound, stabbed, had their eyes gouged out, and hanged. Picture: Social media

Then more details were found of how the pair allegedly took puppies from people looking for new owners for the pets. They were then unmasked as Alina Orlova, 20, and Alyona Savchenko, 17, who live in the same apartment block, and previously studied in the same lyceum.

Alina, daughter of an air force colonel, hit back saying: 'I would like to speak in my defence... I do not know who has put this stuff to the Internet - it is not the first time somebody wants to frame me. But I did not kill anyone and do not intend to kill ...'

She was hit by a storm of protest and abuse on her social media account, including death threats, say police.

'I would like to speak in my defence... I do not know who has put this stuff to the Internet - it is not the first time somebody wants to frame me. But I did not kill anyone and do not intend to kill ...' Picture: Social media

Later she updated: 'I have turned to the police in connection with the threats and violence to my social media address over the violence against animals, which I did not commit. Please note that a check will be conducted and the persons who threatened me will be identified.'

Her mother has also denied her involvement.

Alina has pointed the finger of blame at her 'friend' Alyona alleging the images were 'photoshopped' to frame her. She said she had not spoken to Alyone for 'several months'.

Alina Orlova, 20, (top) and Alyona Savchenko, 17, (bottom) live in the same apartment block, and previously studied in the same lyceum. Picture: Social media

But internet users say the images of tortured animals suggest involvement by Alina, who is a journalism student at Pacific National University in Khabarovsk. Her distinctive tattoo on a hand is visible on the pictures, say online claims.

Alyona has not commented on the allegations. Her grandmother said that when the web buzz began, Alina came to see Alyona and the pair talked 'for a long time'. The following morning Alyona disappeared.