In the course of investigation, the SSU identified a russian military serviceman who ordered to capture Ukrainian city of Mariupol and storm of one of the city’s largest industrial enterprises, Azovstal.

The war criminal is the commander of the 8th guards combined arms army of the southern military district of russian armed forces, lieutenant general Andriy Mordvichev.

According to the investigation, from February 2022 he led the seizure of Donetsk region and personally participated in hostilities against the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The units subordinated to him include: ‘1st army corps of people’s militia’, several separate motorized rifle brigades of the ‘dnr’ illegal armed formations, a tank battalion, the Somalia battalion, the reconnaissance battalion Sparta and units of the Wagner PMC.

Mordvichev directly carried out military planning, coordination and management of these occupation units in combat operations.

Among other things, he ordered the capture of Mariupol district, where, following his instructions, russian troops destroyed critical infrastructure and killed civilians.

While on the territory of the occupied part of Mariupol, Mordvichev held a meeting with Kadyrov, approving a plan for the final capture of the city, blockade and subsequent storming of Azovstal along with merciless killing of Ukrainians remaining inside.

Under his direct leadership and control, the occupying forces committed atrocities against the servicemen of Ukrainian Armed Forces and civilian population.

Lieutenant general of the russian armed forces Andriy Mordvichev has been notified of suspicion of crimes under the Articles of the CCU:

• 110.3 (trespass against territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine, if this leads to death of people and other grave consequences);
• 437.2 (waging an aggressive war or aggressive military actions);
• 28.2 (committing criminal offence by a group of persons upon a prior conspiracy).

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under the procedural supervision of Donetsk Region Prosecutor’s Office.