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Russian General Andrey Gurulyov Admits Ordering Strikes on Ukrainian Civilians in Donbas in 2014
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Russian State Duma deputy and retired general Andrey Gurulyov has publicly stated that in 2014 he commanded Russian forces in Donbas that carried out strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine.
The remarks were made during one of his televised appearances and were highlighted by journalist Denys Kazanskyi on June 9.
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According to Gurulyov, he led units tasked with capturing a settlement where Ukrainian forces were positioned. He said artillery fire was ordered on residential areas, including a sector near a church where civilians were present.
As a result of the shelling, a woman and a child were reportedly killed, and the church sustained damage.
“Twelve years ago I once stopped by a church in an adjacent area and approached the priest. I asked him: ‘Father, how are things?’ He said: ‘Well, not many people were left here. They shelled us, they fired here, a woman and a child were killed there.’ I told him: ‘Listen, I did that.’ He looked at me with such eyes. I said: ‘I had no other choice. I had to save my people,” Gurulyov said.
He added that Russian forces had attempted to advance from the direction of the hospital and the regional administration but were unable to do so, and that an approach from the north also failed.
Gurulyov stated that, in his view, the strikes were necessary to fully defeat opposing forces. He also said he was not asking for forgiveness but wanted the truth to be conveyed in sermons, adding: “If God forgives me, fine. If not, then I didn’t deserve it.”
During the same broadcast, Gurulyov maintained that Russia does not target civilians, while simultaneously advocating for strikes on Kyiv. He specifically urged for attacks designed to sever railway lines and cut off the city's access to water, electricity, and heating.
Gurulyov’s background
According to Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR), Gurulyov’s participation in the war against Ukraine in 2014 led to his promotion to the rank of lieutenant general, and in March 2016 he was awarded the Order of Courage. He aslo took direct part in criminal activities on the territory of Ukraine in 2014–2015.
Andrey Gurulyov previously served as commander of Russia’s 58th Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces, and later headed the 12th Reserve Command.
In 2015, he again took command of the 58th Army of the Southern Military District, based in Vladikavkaz. The headquarters of the Southern Military District is located in Rostov-on-Don.
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Gurulyov’s admission comes alongside separate reporting on Russian missile units and their leadership in Belarus. In January, Radio Svoboda reported that it had identified Roman Ostroushko as the Russian commander of an “Oreshnik” missile unit stationed in Belarus.
The outlet said its analysis of video released on December 30 by the Belarusian and Russian defense ministries showed no Belarusian servicemen present at the formation. It added that the event was overseen from a podium by an unnamed Russian lieutenant colonel described as a deputy commander of a Russian military unit.
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