- Category
- Latest news
Ukraine’s SBU Charges Two Russian Officers for Uman Missile Strike That Killed 24 Civilians
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has officially charged two senior Russian military officers for their involvement in the April 28, 2023 missile strike on a residential building in Uman, Cherkasy region, that killed 24 civilians, including six children.
According to the SBU on October 13, the attack was carried out with two air-to-surface cruise missiles launched by Russian aircraft as part of a coordinated operation led by Lieutenant General Serhii Kobylash, commander of Russia’s Long-Range Aviation, who has already been charged by Ukrainian investigators with committing war crimes.
Under his orders, the planning and execution of the missile strike were carried out by Colonel Mykola Varpakhovych, commander of Russia’s 22nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Division, and Colonel Oleh Skitskyi, commander of the 121st Heavy Bomber Aviation Brigade of Russia’s Long-Range Aviation.
The attack destroyed an apartment building and caused severe damage to seven nearby residential houses, six businesses, and 70 civilian vehicles. Eight residents were injured with varying degrees of severity.
Investigators have charged Varpakhovych and Skitskyi in absentia under Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 2 of Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code—war crimes committed by a group of persons in prior conspiracy.
The SBU noted that comprehensive measures are underway to ensure that everyone involved in the attack is brought to justice.
Earlier, a Russian officer was identified as the commander who ordered the execution of three civilians in Kupiansk.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine, the perpetrator has been identified as Russian national Andrey Sirotyuk, commander of the 121st Brigade of the 68th Motorized Rifle Division within Russia’s 6th Combined Arms Army.
