The SSU has collected evidence against another high-ranking official of russian occupation groupings involved in preparing and conducting a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The suspected russian serviceman is lieutenant general Nikolai Gostev, commander of the 4th army of air force and air defence of russia’s Southern military district (Rostov-on-Don).

From 24 February to the end of May 2022, he commanded subordinate aviation units that took part in seizing part of Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

It was on Gostev’s orders that the ruscists carried out massive missile and bomb strikes on Mariupol’s civilian infrastructure.

The investigation established that these attacks had led to deaths of civilians, including children, destruction of residential buildings, hospitals, etc.

To carry out barrages of strikes, invaders used air-to-ground missiles and aerial bombs, including banned phosphorus munitions.

The russian general also personally commanded combat aviation units that provided support to enemy ground forces during the assaults on Ukrainian cities in Donetsk oblast.

Based on the collected evidence, SSU investigators notified Gostev of suspicion under the following articles of the CCU:

• 28.2 (committing a criminal offence by a group of persons upon prior conspiracy);
• 110.3 (encroachments on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability, if they resulted in deaths and other grave consequences);
• 437.2 (waging an aggressive war or aggressive military actions).

These crimes are punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Comprehensive efforts are underway to bring the offender to justice.

The SSU carried out the investigation under the procedural supervision of Donetsk Region Prosecutor’s Office.