SBU exposes Russian colonel responsible for ‘Kinzhal’ missile attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has announced a significant development regarding the criminal activities of a Russian military officer believed to have orchestrated missile strikes targeting critical Ukrainian infrastructure. According to the SBU, a formal notice of suspicion has been issued in absentia against Russian Colonel Aleksei Yamakidi, a former commander of the 44th Separate Long-Range Aviation Regiment of the Russian Air Force. He is accused of directly commanding the so-called “Kinzhal” missile strikes that were launched against Ukrainian energy facilities. These high-precision attacks, carried out with hypersonic 9-C-7760 “Kinzhal” missile complexes, were reportedly ordered repeatedly from October 2022 through March 2023. The Russian military used advanced long-range weaponry to systematically bombard civilian infrastructure and residential areas within Ukrainian cities and towns, resulting in significant damage and human suffering. The Ukrainian authorities emphasize that ongoing measures are in place to bring all responsible individuals to justice. Additionally, in a separate case, Ukrainian authorities have announced in absentia suspicion against 61-year-old Oleg Borsuk from Chernihiv region, who fled to Russia in 2009. He now works as the deputy general director of a prominent military-industrial company in Russia. Previously, he was employed at a defense plant in Cherkasy region, but left the country 16 years ago to settle in Moscow. These developments underscore the intensified Russian military activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine’s infrastructure, inflicting damage on vital energy and residential facilities, and applying relentless pressure on Ukrainian society.