The Security Service of Ukraine has collected evidence of war crimes committed by russian colonel Ruslan Nazarenko, commander of the 136^th separate motorised rifle brigade of russia’s southern military district.

According to the investigation, the commander gave orders to use prohibited chemicals during the assault on Vovchansk and two neighbouring villages in Kharkiv region between September 2024 and June 2025.

This involved the use of russian K-51 and RG-Vo aerosol grenades equipped with toxic irritants – CS (chlorobenzylidene malonitrile) and CN (chloroacetophenone).

The use of such means munitions is prohibited by the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, Use and Destruction of Chemical Weapons of 13 January 1993.

On Nazarenko’s orders, his subordinates dropped chemical munitions from quadcopters onto the defensive positions of Ukrainian troops.

As a result of grenade detonation, toxic compounds affect human mucous membranes, primarily eyes and respiratory tract.

In this way, the ruscists tried to force the Defence Forces to leave their trenches and expose themselves to direct enemy fire.

During the stated period, the occupiers carried out at least 14 drops of prohibited ammunition on the positions of Ukrainian servicemen.

The investigation identified eight subordinates of the russian brigade commander who supplied and used prohibited chemicals against Ukrainian defenders on the front line.

SSU investigators have notified Nazarenko and his eight subordinates in absentia of suspicion of committing war crimes (Article 438.1 of the CCU).

Efforts to bring them to justice are underway.

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