SBU Names Russian Officers Behind Deadly Kryvyi Rih Attack on Civilians and Children

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has issued in absentia notices of suspicion to four senior Russian commanders who orchestrated a missile strike on a children’s playground in Kryvyi Rih, killing dozens of civilians, including nine children.

According to the SBU on November 24, investigators have compiled a detailed evidence base identifying the Russian military leadership that directed the April 4, 2025 attack on a densely populated residential district of the city. The strike involved an Iskander-M ballistic missile fitted with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead.

The investigation established that overall coordination of the attack was carried out by Colonel General Oleksii Kim, Chief of Staff of Russia’s joint military grouping.

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Life in Ukraine

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He enlisted Vice Admiral Oleksandr Peshkov, head of the Joint Center for Planning and Coordination of Fire Damage, to organize the strike. Preparation and technical support for the missile attack were assigned to Rear Admiral Oleksii Petrushyn, who heads the intelligence and fire-coordination center of Russia’s joint forces, together with Colonel Oleksandr Kisyedobryev, chief of the missile forces and artillery directorate.

As reported by SBU, all four officers have been notified in absentia under Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 2 of Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which concern war crimes resulting in civilian deaths committed by a group acting in prior conspiracy.

Earlier, a Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih on April 4 claimed the lives of at least 18 people, among them nine children.

Additionally, it was reported that more than 50 residents were injured. The attack ignited fires across multiple parts of the city, setting vehicles and garages ablaze and causing extensive damage to several apartment buildings.

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