Investigators of the SSU have collected high-quality evidence base on two representatives of the russian high command, who are responsible for strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine.

One of them is the commander of the long-range aviation of the russian aerospace forces, colonel-general Serhiy Kobylash. The other is the former commander of russia’s Black Sea fleet admiral Ihor Osipov.

Both of them have been notified of suspicion under the two Articles of the CCU:

• 437.2 (planning, preparation, unleashing and conducting of an aggressive war);
• 110.3 (encroachment on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability).

These are the first suspicions notices served specifically in connection with strikes on civilian facilities in Ukraine.

The maximum punishment for such crimes is life imprisonment.

In the course of the investigation, the SSU established that since the start of the full-scale invasion Serhiy Kobylash had been following the instructions of russia’s top military and political leadership to destroy Ukrainian cities.

It is on his orders that russian invaders carry out massive missile attacks on residential buildings, hospitals and critical infrastructure in different regions of Ukraine.

To carry out air attacks, the enemy uses strategic missile carriers Tu-160, Tu-95MS, as well as long-range missile carriers-bombers Tu-22M3, armed with cruise missiles of Kh-555, Kh-101, Kh-55 and Kh-22 types.

As for Ihor Osipov, according to the investigation, in the period from February 24 to August 10, 2022, the official ordered systematic missile strikes from the Black Sea on the densely populated areas in Ukraine.

The attacks were carried out with high-precision guided cruise missiles 3M14-Kalibr from russian warships.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

The SSU Main Investigation Directorate and the SSU Military Counterintelligence Department documented the crime under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.