The SSU has collected evidence against another two officials of russia’s military high command who committed war crimes against Ukraine’s civilian population.

They are:

• vice admiral Sergey Pinchuk - first deputy commander - chief of staff of the Black Sea fleet of the russian navy;
• major general Oleg Pchela, deputy commander of the long-range aviation of russia’s aerospace forces.

Both officials ordered missile strikes against civilian and critical infrastructure in Ukraine.

According to the investigation, Oleg Pchela and Sergey Pinchuk are among the organizers of massive missile strikes on Ukraine from 10 October 2022 to January 2023.

During this period, the occupiers fired dozens of air- and sea-launched cruise missiles of Kh-101 and 3M14 Kalibr type and a Kh-22 supersonic missile at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

These attacks killed over 50 civilians and seriously injured more than 110 others, including young children.

Pinchuk also ordered the mining of the sea route from the Bosphorus to Odesa to block the ‘grain corridor’. This russian admiral also personally commanded the strikes on port infrastructure and coastal facilities of Ukraine’s agricultural sector.

In such a way, the enemy hoped to disrupt the export of Ukrainian agricultural products and destroy logistical centres for their transport and storage.

Based on the evidence, russian vice admiral Sergei Pinchuk and major general Oleg Pchelya were notified of suspicion under four Articles of the CCU:

• 110.3 (encroachment on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability);
• 437.2 (planning, preparation, initiation and conduct of an aggressive war);
• 438.1 (violation of laws and customs of war);
• 438.2 (violation of laws and customs of war, resulting in loss of life).

Efforts are underway to prosecute both suspects for their crimes against Ukraine.

The investigation is conducted under the procedural supervision of the prosecutor general’s office.