Russian soldier suspected of killing five AFU fighters detained in Kharkiv region

In Kharkiv region, law enforcement officers detained a Russian serviceman suspected of killing five Ukrainian soldiers. The man was found less than a day after the crime. The investigation is also checking his possible involvement in another murder.

The Security Service of Ukraine and Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Vyhovsky reported this on October 14.

The detainee turned out to be a 36-year-old Russian soldier, a native of St. Petersburg. According to the SSU, he served in the 1009th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces. The man had previously been convicted of a crime in Russia.

According to the investigation, the attack occurred on October 13 in Kharkiv district. An armed man in civilian clothes opened fire with an automatic weapon on Ukrainian servicemen who were in a residential building.

Five servicemen of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians were killed in the attack. After the shooting, the attacker fled.

Within 24 hours, officers of the National Police, SSU, National Guard, Military Law Enforcement Service, and prosecutor's office were involved in the search for the suspect.

According to Interior Minister Ivan Vyhovsky, law enforcement officers examined dozens of square kilometers of territory, checking possible directions of movement of the armed man and places where he could hide.

On the evening of October 14, the suspect was detained. The minister stressed that the main task was to neutralize the armed man as quickly as possible and prevent new casualties.

In addition, law enforcement officers are checking the detainee's involvement in another murder. Earlier, there was information about the possible death of a civilian man, but official statements by the SSU and the Interior Ministry have not yet confirmed that the detainee committed this crime.

The Prosecutor General's Office reported that the investigation is considering several versions of the incident, including the possible involvement of the attacker in a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group.

Initially, criminal proceedings were opened under Part 2, Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — premeditated murder of two or more persons.

After the detention of the Russian serviceman, further pre-trial investigation was transferred to investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine. Procedural guidance is provided by the Kharkiv District Prosecutor's Office.

Law enforcement officers continue to establish the circumstances of the crime and check the possible involvement of the suspect in other episodes. The final legal qualification of his actions may be clarified based on the results of the investigation.

Based on materials from: Security Service of Ukraine, Ivan Vyhovsky, Ukrinform.