The Security Service has collected evidence against russian military commanders who committed war crimes in Sumy region at the beginning of the full-scale war.

The case pertains to a massive shelling of civilian infrastructure in Okhtyrka by russian forces on 25 February 2022. At that time, the occupiers struck the city with Grad and Uragan multiple rocket launchers.

During the attack, the enemy destroyed and damaged local kindergartens, dozens of residential buildings and energy facilities, including a critically important combined heat and power plant.

As a result of the shelling, nine residents of the community were killed, including a child. Another nine civilians, including a child, were injured to varying degrees.

According to the investigation, the strikes on Okhtyrka were authorised by lieutenant general Sergey Kisel, commander of the 1^st tank army of russia’s Western military district.

On his orders, his subordinates from the 4^th tank division (better known as the Kantemirovskaya Division named after Yuri Andropov) were responsible for preparing and carrying out the shelling:

• major general Yevgeny Zhuravlyov – division commander;
• colonel Dmitry Kirshin – chief of staff of the division;
• colonel Vladimir Krivoshapov – chief of artillery;
• colonel Aleksander Aleksandrov – commander of the 275^th self-propelled artillery regiment;
• lieutenant colonel Magomedrasul Kurbanov – chief of staff – deputy commander of the 275^th self-propelled artillery regiment.

Based on the evidence, investigators of the Security Service notified the perpetrators in absentia of suspicion under Articles 28.2 and 438.2 of the CCU (war crimes, committed by a group, upon prior conspiracy).

Efforts to bring to justice all persons involved in the commission of war crimes against Ukraine are underway.

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