The Russian authorities have added Evgeniy Rodin, identified as the third division commander of the 107th Rocket Brigade within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, to their wanted list in connection with the bombing attack on Lisichansk. This development came from Russia’s official search database, as reported by the state news agency TASS.
Officials indicate that Rodin faces a criminal inquiry stemming from the bombing of a Lisichansk bakery on February 3. The incident is described by Moscow as a deliberate strike linked to military operations in the region, prompting substantial concern about civilian targets amid ongoing confrontations in eastern Ukraine.
According to accounts from Russian officials, Ukrainian forces deployed long-range missiles in the attack on Lisichansk, a city located in the disputed area controlled by separatist authorities at the time. The incident reportedly resulted in significant damage to a local bakery and raised questions about the broader humanitarian impact of the fighting in the area.
Russia’s envoy to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, asserted that Washington bore responsibility for the missile strike by virtue of its stated support for Ukrainian military actions in Lisichansk. Nebenzya’s remarks framed the event within the larger context of international involvement and attributed a degree of accountability to Western allies for the escalation in combat operations.
On February 8, official channels in Russia indicated that investigators had identified the Ukrainian commanders who allegedly ordered the attack on Lisichansk. The authorities asserted that the commanders played a direct role in directing the assault, reinforcing claims about planned military activity in the city and the alleged targeting of civilian infrastructure.
In related commentary, officials or former officers tied to the Ukrainian forces have weighed in on the issue, offering perspectives on the strategic position of fortifications and the perceived superiority of Russian defensive lines. These statements have contributed to the ongoing narrative surrounding the conflict, its tactical dimensions, and the competing claims about the balance of power in the region.