The SSU has collected evidence against lieutenant general Andriy Ruzynskyi, commander of the 11th army corps of the Baltic fleet of russia’s Western military district.

In the early days of russia’s full-scale invasion, he ordered the troops subordinate to him to ‘break through’ Ukraine’s state border and capture Kharkiv region.

Under his command, the invaders temporarily occupied Kharkiv, Chuhuiv and Izium districts.

In this way, Ruzynskyi executed the criminal orders of russia’s highest military and political leadership to invade and occupy Ukraine.

To storm Ukrainian settlements in Kharkiv oblast, he engaged over 4,000 russian military personnel from Balakliya russian occupation grouping.

The investigation established that the occupiers had used tanks, cannon artillery, anti-aircraft missile systems and heavy flamethrower systems Buratino and Solntsepyok to conduct warfare against the Defence Forces.

Additionally, during combat operations in Kharkiv region, this russian general repeatedly engaged the firepower of his superior, the commander of russia’s Western military district. Army assault aircraft, Mi-8 and Ka-52 attack helicopters, 300mm Smerch multiple rocket launchers were used in attacks.

The ‘military commandant’s office’ in Balakliya was also subordinate to Ruzynskyi. The SSU has recently notified the ‘commandant’ of suspicion of torturing civilians.

For waging an aggressive war against Ukraine, the kremlin awarded over 1,000 ruscists, who fought under Ruzynskyi.

The commander himself was promoted in military rank and transferred to russia for further service, where he is currently hiding from justice.

Based on the evidence collected, SSU investigators notified him of suspicion under Articles 28.2 and 437.2 of the CCU (conduct of aggressive military operations, by a group of persons upon prior conspiracy). The efforts to bring the suspect to justice are ongoing. He is facing up to 15 years in prison.

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