The Security Service of Ukraine has collected evidence and received expert conclusions on the ruscists who commanded the air strikes on Odesa on 5 November 2023.

On that day, the occupiers hit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the center of the port city.

The enemy attack damaged historic buildings, including the Potocki Palace and the Boffo House.

According to the investigation, the order for the strike was given by russian admiral Viktor Sokolov, commander of the Black Sea fleet of the russian navy.

Then, his deputy, vice admiral Arkady Romanov, planned the attack and gave the order to his subordinate.

The latter is colonel Aleksei Shcherbakov, who commands the 15^th separate coastal missile brigade of the russian Black Sea fleet.

The occupiers used a 3M55 Oniks medium-range anti-ship missile to carry out the air attack.

Based on the evidence collected, SSU investigators served Sokolov, Romanov and Shcherbakov suspicion notices in absentia under Articles 28.2 and 438.1 of the CCU (violation of laws and customs of war stipulated by international treaties ratified by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, as well as ordering such actions, upon prior conspiracy, by a group).

Efforts are underway to bring all russian war criminals to justice.

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