Following the SSU’s investigation, a notice of suspicion was served to Roman Chervinskyi, former acting commander of one of the Special Operations Forces units. According to the investigation, his unauthorized actions led to the enemy’s rocket attack on Kanatove airfield in Kirovohrad region in the summer of 2022.

Chervinskyi is suspected under Article 426-1.5 of the CCU (abuse of power or authority by a military official).

According to the investigation, the suspect, together with other persons, arbitrarily decided to conduct a so-called ‘special operation’: to seize an aircraft of the russian air force. The russian pilot allegedly agreed to the offer to defect to Ukraine.

This ‘operation’ was carried out despite the SSU’s objections and without the consent of the relevant state authorities. As a result, the enemy obtained information on deployment of Ukrainian Air Force personnel and aircraft at Kanatove airfield. This allowed the russian armed forces to strike the airfield.

‘The SSU and the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine immediately objected to this plan, and it was not approved by other government agencies. After all, the special operation was fraught with many risks. But some people decided to act at their own discretion... I want to emphasize that no tricks will help evade responsibility. In my opinion, the culprit, whose actions led to the death of a Ukrainian serviceman and injury of another seventeen, must be punished,’ the SSU Head Vasyl Maliuk emphasized.

The missile strike killed a military unit commander and wounded 17 Ukrainian defenders. Two combat fighter jets of the Ukrainian Air Force were also completely destroyed, the runway and other equipment and buildings - heavily damaged.

The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU is working on the case under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.