The Security Service of Ukraine has collected evidence against another russian serviceman who participated in the shooting of captured Ukrainian soldiers during russia’s invasion of Kharkiv region in 2024. Shortly after committing the war crimes, the occupier himself was captured by the Defense Forces and is currently in custody.

He is 36-year-old russian citizen Sergei Tuzhilov, a rifleman in the 69^th motorized rifle division of the 6^th army of the aggressor state, and has two previous convictions for robbery and drug trafficking.

The investigation established that Tuzhilov took part in the fighting near Vovchansk in June 2024. During the assault on a local factory, he and his accomplice shot three Ukrainian soldiers who had been taken prisoner.

It has been documented that Tuzhilov personally shot a bound Ukrainian soldier in the back of the head with his service weapon.

The russian serviceman chose the locations for the murder of another two prisoners and guarded the perimeter during the shootings.

All three victims died on the spot as a result of gunshot wounds from automatic weapons.

Before the shootings, the russian soldiers tortured the PoWs by tying them to posts.

During new clashes, Ukrainian defenders destroyed Tuzhilov’s unit and took him prisoner as the only survivor.

The law enforcement established all the circumstances of the crimes committed by the perpetrator and his accomplices.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators notified Tuzhilov of suspicion of crimes under the Articles of the CCU:

• 27.5, 28.2, 438.2 (aiding and abetting cruel treatment of prisoners of war, combined with intentional murder);
• 28.2, 438.2 (war crimes combined with intentional murder, committed by a group, upon prior conspiracy).

The ruscist faces life imprisonment.

The investigation is carried out by the SSU Office in Kharkiv region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.