The Security Service of Ukraine has gathered new evidence against high-ranking military officials of the aggressor state who committed war crimes at the beginning of the full-scale war.

The case pertains to the massive attacks by russian troops on civilian infrastructure in Sumy oblast between March 5 and 10, 2022. During this period, the occupiers carried out more than 20 strikes with FAB-500 high-explosive bombs, destroying and damaging residential buildings, a school, nursery schools, and a health clinic.

As a result of the bombings, 15 civilians from Sumy city community were killed, including children. Five residents were injured to varying degrees.

According to the investigation, the order for the air strike was given by the commander of russia’s Western military district, colonel general Aleksandr Zhuravlyov.

He planned the strike on civilian targets in the north-eastern region of Ukraine together with his first deputy, lieutenant general Aleksei Zavizyon.

The following enemy servicemen were also involved in the commission of the war crime:

• lieutenant general Oleg Makovetsky, commander of the 6^th air force and air defense army of russia’s Western military district (russia’s 6th army);
• chief of staff - first deputy commander of russia’s 6^th army, lieutenant general Yuriy Podoplelov;
• commander of the 105^th mixed aviation division of the 6^th army, major general Denis Kulsh;
• commander of the 14^th fighter aviation regiment of the 105^th mixed aviation division of the 6^th army, colonel Vladimir Fedoseev.

It has been established that russian pilots carried out combat sorties from Kursk region, during which they attacked over 100 civilian targets in Ukraine.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators notified the six commanders 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 every russian war criminal to justice are underway.

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