Russian Commander Who Shot Civilian in Bucha Identified by Ukrainian Investigators and Military Intelligence

Probe into the Killing of a Civilian in Bucha

According to Главком: Ukrainian National Police investigators, working alongside the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), have identified the Russian commander responsible for the murder of a civilian in Bucha. The incident occurred on March 6, 2022, during the temporary occupation of the city, when Russian troops opened fire on a Honda CR-V driven by a local man born in 1960. The victim was not involved in combat, was unarmed, and posed no threat. He died instantly from multiple gunshot wounds after being struck by at least ten rounds aimed to kill.

Identification and Consequences

The commander who ordered the shooting has been identified as Yuriy Oleksandrovych Shypulin, born in 1985. He is a native of the village of Kolontay in the Maloyaroslavets District of Kaluga Oblast, Russia. At the time of the crime, Shypulin served as squad commander and combat vehicle commander of the 6th Air Assault Company, 2nd Battalion Tactical Group, 234th Air Assault Regiment (military unit 74268) of the 76th Air Assault Division of the Russian Airborne Forces, holding the rank of senior sergeant.

Shypulin has been served a notice of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which covers violations of the laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder committed by a group. It is known that the commander was killed in action during the war. For context, Bucha was liberated on March 31, 2022, after 33 days of occupation.

Previously, Ukrainian authorities had also identified a Russian soldier who shot a 70-year-old Bucha resident in March 2022, as well as Russian officer Yuriy Kim, who is set to be tried for the execution of 17 civilians during the occupation. Units of Russia's 234th Air Assault Regiment, under the command of a 28-year-old platoon leader, controlled certain areas of Bucha in March 2022.

This case is part of a broader investigation into crimes committed during the war in Ukraine, particularly those involving Russian military actions against civilians.

Identifying those responsible for such atrocities is a critical step toward delivering justice for war victims and their families. Ukraine continues active efforts to document crimes committed during Russian aggression, which could have international repercussions and help hold perpetrators accountable.

In addition to the recent identification of Yuriy Oleksandrovych Shypulin, another tragic case from Bucha highlights the ongoing investigations into war crimes. A Russian sniper has been linked to the fatal shooting of an elderly resident during the occupation, marking yet another instance of violence against civilians. For more details on this case and the efforts to hold those responsible accountable, see our coverage of the sniper involved in the shooting of an elderly man.