SBU established the facts of the terrorist attack committed by militants of “Somali” illegal armed formation of the so-called "Ministry of Defence of the DNR” in Avdiivka (Donetsk region) on January 26, 2015.

The special service investigators documented that the shelling of peaceful residential quarters of the district center with the population of several tens of thousands people with “Grad” multiple-launch rocket systems was carried out from the territory, temporarily controlled by terrorists. According to the findings of the examinations, terrorists shelled with M-21 OF unguided missiles from the area of Mineralne, Yakovlivka and Yasynuvata. At least seventy such missiles were shelled during the terrorist attack.

As a result of a terrorist act, two civilians were killed, and two more were wounded. The residential houses and apartments, a kindergarten, a hospital and other communal establishments, etc. were destroyed in whole or in part. Mass casualties were avoid because of previous shelling by terrorists of the city with from the non-rocket artillery. Most of the residents of Avdiivka remained in bomb shelters.

SBU investigators have established direct participation in shelling of residential quarters of Avdiivka of two militants from divisions of the “Somali” 1st Separate Battalion-Tactical Group of the so-called “Ministry of Defense of the DNR". The “Lieutenant Colonel of the Guard" with a call sign “More” commanded a howitzer battery. He directly provided necessary for the targeting manning details and coordinates. The artillery reactive battery with two items of the “Grad” BM-21 multiple-launch rocket system executed orders of its leader nicknamed “Academik". He commanded to start fire after coordination with the "Somali" commander "Givi".

Intercepted by the SBU negotiations of the "Somali" terrorists testify that they coordinated and carried out the “Grad” shelling of the peaceful city. SBU investigators documented the entire chain of organization, coordination and execution by the militants of an armed gang this crime against the peaceful population.

The mercenary of pro-Russian illegal armed group the “Lieutenant Colonel of the Guard” was served a notice of suspicion of committing a crime under Part 1 Art. 258-3, Part 2 Art. 260, Part 3 Art. 258, cl. 1, 5, 12, Part 2 Art. 115, his accomplice “Academik” - Part 3 Art. 258, cl. 1, 5, 12, Part 2 Art. 115, Part 1 Art. 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Both militants were put on the ‘wanted’ list.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceeding under over 30 episodes of Avdiivka shelling with pro-Russian militants is ongoing.

The documentation of the terrorist attack was conducted by investigators of the SBU Office in Zhytomyr region under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor's Office of Zhytomyr region.