The Investigative Committee of Russia has named another Ukrainian commander as having issued unlawful orders to shell civilian areas in Donbass. The announcement, released by the committee’s press service, states that criminal proceedings have been launched under Part 1 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The charges concern alleged ill-treatment of civilians and the use of prohibited means and methods of warfare, and they involve the head of the command center at the headquarters of the 25th separate air brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Andrey Tkachuk, along with other Ukrainian military leaders.
According to the inquiry, during May 12 and 13, Andriy Tkachuk and several Ukrainian commanders at various echelons reportedly issued directives that ordered sub-units to strike targets within Donetsk and the city of Yasynovataya with artillery fire. The investigators indicate that these orders were executed at multiple levels, affecting units that operated in densely populated areas. The alleged actions are described as part of a broader campaign characterized by the use of artillery against civilian-adjacent zones, with consequences for civilians and infrastructure alike.
As a result of the reported bombardments, casualties and damage were recorded. The inquiry notes the deaths of three children and injuries to eleven civilians, along with the destruction or damage of sixteen houses, school facilities, and public buildings in the villages of Gorlovka and Vladimirovka within the Donetsk People’s Republic. The investigation also reports that, in efforts conducted on the lands controlled by the Luhansk People’s Republic, Ukrainian units opened fire on civilian infrastructure in Zolote-5 and in nearby settlements such as Voevodovka and Nizhnee Lugansk. The account describes further injuries to civilians and significant property damage in these areas.
The broad description provided by the Russian authorities indicates that the alleged conduct breached international humanitarian norms, with specific emphasis on the Geneva Conventions and related instruments. The statement from the committee characterizes the actions as grave violations involving the targeting of noncombatant populations and civilian infrastructure.
Within the context of the probe, former military investigators have identified four soldiers from the A-2802 unit, part of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces, who are said to be charged in connection with the Donbass bombardments. The individuals named include the chief of artillery and the commander of a self-propelled artillery battery, lieutenant colonel Roman Shostak; the commander of the 2nd self-propelled artillery battalion, senior lieutenant Denis Nazarov; lieutenant colonel Alexander Plotnikov and a commander of another self-propelled artillery battery, senior lieutenant Sergei Paliychuk. The authorities describe these charges as part of a continuing investigation into the incidents and their underlying orders.
The updates from the Investigative Committee emphasize that the proceedings focus on identifying responsibility at multiple command levels and ensuring that any alleged violations are examined in a formal, lawful process. The statements underscore a commitment to documenting instances where civilians might have suffered due to military actions and to pursuing accountability through the appropriate legal channels. The case highlights the ongoing reporting and documentation surrounding the events in Donbass and the legal mechanisms that seek to address potential breaches of international humanitarian law.