The SSU Military Counterintelligence and investigators have documented the war crimes of Vasyl Blashchuk – platoon commander of the assault company of the 237th tank regiment of the 20th army of russia’s moscow military district.

As the investigation revealed, in September 2025, this russian serviceman, as part of his unit, took part in fighting in the Donetsk region.

During an assault on the positions of the Defence Forces near the village of Shandryholove in the Lyman sector, Blashchuk ordered his subordinates to open fire on all civilians in the community.

He relayed the order to his subordinates via a portable radio. It has been documented that during the radio transmission, second lieutenant Blashchuk repeated the order to kill civilians in the Ukrainian village several times to his subordinates.

After receiving the commander’s instructions, the ruscists shot local residents at point-blank range as they were on the route of the russian platoon.

Such actions by the suspect grossly violate the requirements of Articles 27, 32, 147 of the Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949 and Articles 11, 40, 51, 75 and 85 of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators have notified Blashchuk in absentia of suspicion under Article 438.2 of the CCU (war crimes resulting in loss of life).

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Office in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the procedural supervision of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office.