Law enforcement officers have identified another Russian serviceman who is likely involved in war crimes committed during the occupation of Bucha in Kyiv Region in March 2022.
The suspect is a 26-year-old deputy commander of a combat vehicle in an air assault division of the Russian Airborne Forces.
This was reported by the National Police of Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor General.
According to the case materials, on 8 March 2022 a Bucha resident left the “Vifaniia” church, where he and his family had been sheltering from shelling, and headed to a shop.
On Vokzalna Street he was stopped by Russian troops who had set up a checkpoint on the premises of a beauty salon.
After checking the man’s mobile phone, they took him to a neighbouring property. There, he was forced to strip to the waist and was tied to a column with plastic zip ties.
According to law enforcement, for about 30 minutes Russian troops beat the man with their hands, feet and blunt objects.
Later, another group of Russian troops arrived at the scene, including the suspect in the case.
“The Russian serviceman struck the unarmed man in the face with the barrel of an assault rifle, knocking out his teeth, then shoved the barrel into his mouth and threatened to shoot him. The man had no weapon and did not take part in hostilities,” police said.
That same day, the victim was released. On 12 March he evacuated from Bucha.
Investigators have served the suspect with a notice of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — cruel treatment of the civilian population.
The article carries a penalty of up to 12 years’ imprisonment.
Law enforcement officers continue to identify Russian servicemen who may have been involved in crimes against civilians during the occupation of Bucha.
- The Kremlin presented a propaganda “report” filled with manipulation and fakes about the events in Bucha, Kyiv Region, in 2022.