The SSU continues to expose war crimes of the aggressor state.

As a result of an investigation, the SSU established the identity of a russian invader, who at the beginning of the full-scale invasion gave an order to shoot at Ukrainians who tried to leave Kharkiv region.

The war criminal is the deputy commander for military and political work of the 25th separate motorized rifle brigade of the Western military district of the russian armed forces lieutenant colonel Yevheniy Zelenov.

On February 24, he was commanding one of russian battalion and tactical groups, which was actively engaged in combat against Ukrainian Defence Forces on the eastern direction.

According to the investigation, his occupation group approached Kharkiv ring road from the village of Lyptsi and blocked the entrance to the regional center.

Local residents travelling from the border settlements demanded to unblock the traffic and resisted the occupiers.

The ruscist commander ordered his subordinates to open fire at the cars with civilians.

One person was killed, at least two were seriously injured.

Based on the collected evidence, SSU investigators notified the russian serviceman of suspicion under Article 438.2 of the CCU (violation of laws and customs of war combined with intentional murder).

The SSU is acting to establish the suspect’s location and bring him to justice for crimes against Ukraine.

The SSU Office in Kharkiv region carried out the investigation with the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.