Suspects Named in War Crimes Investigation
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, in coordination with the National Police and the Prosecutor General’s Office, has identified four individuals accused of war crimes in the temporarily occupied city of Antratsyt in 2014. They face charges for brutal treatment of civilians, torture, sexual violence, and other violations of the laws of war. This case highlights ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for crimes committed during the early stages of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
The alleged crimes occurred in June 2014, when Russian occupation forces unlawfully detained a Ukrainian female volunteer and three other civilians. They were held captive until the end of September 2014. The woman was subjected to torture, physical injuries, and repeated rape. The authorities have released the names of those involved: three collaborators and one Russian citizen. The primary suspect is Oleksandr Mykolayovych Petrykin, call sign 'Black Sasha,' born November 10, 1971. He served as the so-called 'commandant of the military commandant’s office in Antratsyt' and appropriated the victim’s property, including a Fiat Doblo car.
Other Individuals Charged
The other suspects in the case include:
- Andriy Oleksandrovych Uhryumov, born March 12, 1989, a resident of the Kamyane settlement in the Antratsyt district;
- Yehor Volodymyrovych Khudoliei, born July 26, 1988, a resident of the Shchotove settlement in the Antratsyt district;
- Denys Oleksandrovych Karaban, born May 6, 1989, believed to be an active serviceman of the Russian armed forces.
All suspects have been notified of suspicion for cruel treatment, torture, sexual violence, and other breaches of the laws of war. One suspect faces an additional charge for illegally appropriating a civilian’s property.
Separately, in Moscow on Yeletskaya Street, two Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs officers who had previously fought against Ukraine as part of Russian occupation units were killed. An explosion left both officers dead at the scene, while two others sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized. According to a source,
“around one in the morning, a local resident, protesting the Kremlin’s aggressive policies, attacked a service vehicle of Russian police officers near their station.”
Identifying and prosecuting war criminals represents a critical step toward delivering justice for victims of crimes committed during the war in Ukraine. It also underscores the efforts of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies to combat impunity and hold accountable those who violate international humanitarian law. The attack on Russian police officers in Moscow demonstrates that anti-Kremlin sentiments persist both within Ukraine and beyond, potentially influencing the conflict’s trajectory and interstate relations.
As the investigation into war crimes continues, it is crucial to remain vigilant about other threats to national security. Recently, a Russian agent was apprehended in Zhytomyr for planning an attack on Ukrainian military infrastructure, illustrating the ongoing risks posed by hostile actors within the country.