Conviction of Russian commander responsible for executing civilians in Bucha
Ukrainian authorities have identified a Russian military officer who directly ordered the shootings of civilians and participated in war crimes during the occupation of Bucha in 2022.
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, the individual is a platoon commander from the 234th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Airborne Division of the Russian Armed Forces, responsible for controlling the Lysova Bucha area and actively directing repressive measures.
During the so-called ‘filtering’ operations, occupation troops conducted searches, subjected residents to torture, and carried out shootings.
Some of the bodies were burned to conceal evidence.
Prosecutors reported that at least 17 civilians were killed in March 2022 under this command, with many crimes committed with extreme cruelty and without regard for human life.
This is the first official arrest of a Russian soldier involved in such heinous crimes, made possible by collected evidence revealing his direct involvement in mass shootings and human rights violations.
The commander, according to investigations, organized a reporting system within his unit, having detailed knowledge of all activities on the occupied territory, and consciously encouraged subordinates to commit atrocities, persuading them of impunity.
His orders and actions created an environment where violence against civilians became the norm for the entire unit.
Additionally, Ukrainian investigators announced the first-ever gathering of sufficient evidence to prosecute a foreign mercenary from the private military company Wagner, who personally participated in the assault and destruction of Bakhmut and received awards from both Wagner and Russia, the aggressor state.