Prosecutors of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office have approved and sent to court an indictment against four military officials of the Russian Armed Forces for violating the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder, committed by a group of individuals in conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

On February 28, 2022, deliberate targeted strikes were carried out on civilian objects in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kharkiv using cluster munitions from the "Smerch" multiple launch rocket system. Eight civilians were killed, including a 17-year-old boy. Another woman sustained serious injuries.

Several high-rise buildings, a school, and a kindergarten were damaged. According to experts, the damages amount to approximately 15.2 million UAH. 

Law enforcement officials have identified those involved in this war crime — units of the "Zapad" military grouping, formed based on the Western Military District of the Russian Armed Forces (hereinafter — WMD), which used indiscriminate means of destruction, including the "Smerch" MLRS.

It has been established that in order to intimidate and terrorize the civilian population of Kharkiv, suppress the will of the defenders and residents of the city to resist the occupation, the head of the fire and nuclear strike group of the "Zapad" military grouping — the deputy chief of staff of the WMD — prepared a decision to carry out strikes with the "Smerch" MLRS.

This was approved by the commander of the WMD — a colonel general and his first deputy — a lieutenant general.

Understanding that the strike would lead to a large number of casualties among the civilian population, the colonel — commander of the 79th Guards Rocket Artillery Brigade of the WMD (military unit 53956) nevertheless ordered the attack on Kharkiv to proceed.

The indictment has been sent to court for consideration under a special absentee procedure in absentia.

The pre-trial investigation was conducted by investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police in the Kharkiv region.