Ukrainian Police Identify Russian Soldiers Responsible for Bucha Massacre

The National Police of Ukraine has identified 12 Russian servicemen implicated in the killing of civilians in Bucha during March 2022. This announcement was made on January 20.

The commander of the unit has been formally charged with violating the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder, according to official reports.

Investigations have confirmed that the perpetrators were 12 paratroopers from the 234th Air Assault Regiment, based in Pskov, Russia. The unit’s commander ordered troops to occupy the area and fire on anyone within their line of sight. Evidence indicates that the commander directly oversaw the execution of these orders, provided instructions for establishing firing positions, and organized soldier rotations.

Ukrainian investigators gathered substantial evidence confirming the issuance of the commander’s orders and the resulting civilian casualties. The commander has been charged under Article 438, Part 2 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which addresses violations of the laws of war involving intentional killing. If convicted, the accused faces a potential life sentence.

Between March 5 and March 9, 2022, civilians traveling near the intersection of Vokzalna and Yablunska streets in Bucha were fatally shot. Victims included women, men, and children aged 14 to 69, who were trying to reach work, evacuate family members, or obtain food during the hostilities.

These individuals were reportedly targeted by automatic weapons and combat vehicles operated by Russian forces.

The National Police stated that they are working closely with representatives of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ensure that the evidence collected serves as a foundation for holding Russia’s military and political leadership accountable in international courts. The investigation is being supervised by Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General.

Earlier, during a United Nations Security Council meeting, Russia’s Permanent Representative Vasily Nebenzya accused the United Kingdom of staging the Bucha massacre and obstructing a potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia in the early days of the invasion. Nebenzya alleged that British forces and media orchestrated the incident in Bucha as a “cruel provocation” to discredit Russia and claimed former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson influenced Ukraine to reject peace negotiations in April 2022.