The Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office, based on the collected extensive evidence, has notified five individuals from the higher command of the military grouping of the armed forces of the Russian Federation operating in the Kherson direction of suspicion of committing war crimes in absentia, under Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violations of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder, committed by a group of individuals in conspiracy).

Military specialists from the Interagency Working Group at the Office of the Prosecutor General, investigators from the regional units of the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Main Counterintelligence Department of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Kherson region and the Main Operational and Search Department of the 79th Border Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, as well as public organizations "Truth Hounds" and "Global Rights Compliance," are involved in the investigation.

The five Russian commanders planned and issued orders for massive attacks on the de-occupied part of the Kherson region using imprecise weapons – Grad multiple launch rocket systems, howitzers, cannons, and other artillery systems. Strikes were directed at the local population and civilian infrastructure: residential areas, schools, hospitals.

As a result of the actions of these Russian officers, at least 600 civilians were affected. 113 peaceful residents were killed, including three children.

Tens of thousands of people lost their homes and became internally displaced persons.

Significant analytical and operational search work has been carried out to identify the war criminals.

Thus, during 2023, more than 3,000 investigative actions were conducted, including:

– over 600 inspections of crime scenes;

– more than 700 interrogations of victims and witnesses;

– over 600 expert examinations, including forensic, explosive, and military.