The SSU has collected evidence against russian lieutenant general Yevgeniy Poplavsky, deputy commander of russia’s central military district, who committed war crimes in Ukraine.

After the capture of Lyman in Donetsk oblast, Poplavsky personally coordinated repressions against local resistance members. On his orders, the occupiers kidnapped and tortured Ukrainian patriots.

The investigation documented facts when the commander personally participated in punitive actions and torture of civilians.

For example, on 20 April 2022, the russian general, together with four subordinates, broke into a local businessman’s home.

Poplavsky demanded that the man hand over his company’s warehouse to the occupiers. There, the invaders planned to shoot staged videos about fake distribution of ‘russian humanitarian aid’.

When the entrepreneur and his wife refused, the general ordered the woman to be locked in the basement, and her husband - to be captured and taken away.

The victim was taken to one of his storage facilities. Before leaving, Poplavsky instructed his subordinate to throw a grenade into the cellar where the woman was being held if her husband did not return in an hour.

After arriving at the warehouse, the russian commander put a gun to the victim’s temple, forcing him to ‘thank the occupiers for their help to local population’ on video. The businessman agreed to the invaders’ terms.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators notified Poplavsky of suspicion under Article 438.1 of the CCU (ordering actions aimed at violating the laws and customs of war).

The suspect is in the territory not controlled by Ukraine; efforts are underway to bring him to justice for crimes against Ukraine.

The investigation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.