War Crime Accusations Leveled
Ukraine has formally charged five high-ranking officers from the Russian Armed Forces in connection with a missile attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih that took place on June 13, 2023. The assault caused multiple casualties and extensive destruction. This case highlights ongoing efforts to hold senior military leaders accountable for actions targeting civilian areas during the war.
Details of the Missile Attack
At 3:10 AM on June 13, 2023, two Kh-101 cruise missiles were launched from within Russian territory. The first missile struck the warehouse facilities of a wholesale food distribution center, killing seven people aged 17 to 56 and wounding three others. The second missile hit the grounds of a former transportation company, resulting in the death of one man. In total, civilian buildings, vehicles, and other infrastructure were damaged, with losses estimated at nearly 50 million Ukrainian hryvnias.
Among those accused is Army General Sergei Surovikin, commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, who allegedly authorized the strike on civilian targets. The other suspects include:
- Lieutenant General Sergei Dronov, commander of Long-Range (heavy bomber) Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces, who is accused of selecting targets for the missile use;
- Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash, commander of Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces, who allegedly issued a combat order to shell civilian sites;
- Colonel Mykola Varpakhovych, commander of a heavy bomber aviation division within the Russian Aerospace Forces, also accused of directing an order to strike civilian targets;
- Colonel Oleh Skitsky, commander of a heavy bomber aviation regiment in the Russian Aerospace Forces, who is said to have facilitated the execution of the missile attack.
This incident is part of the broader ongoing conflict in Ukraine and underscores the severe impact of military operations on non-combatants.
It is crucial to note that decisions made by military commanders responsible for bombarding civilian infrastructure can carry not only humanitarian but also legal consequences.
Continued investigations and the prosecution of those involved in such actions could set a significant precedent in international law and influence the future trajectory of the conflict in the region.
The tragic missile strike in Kryvyi Rih not only resulted in significant civilian casualties but also prompted President Zelenskyy to disclose the human cost of such attacks. For a deeper understanding of the devastating impact on the local population and the ongoing conflict, you can read more about the civilian toll from this assault in our detailed report here.