Ukraine has identified a Russian commander as a suspect in the crimes committed in Bucha in 2022, an important step in the investigation regarding the mass executions of civilians.

Ukraine announced the identification of Yuri Vladimirovich Kim, commander of a platoon from the 76th Air Division of the Russian army, as a suspect in the crimes committed in 2022 in Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv. This notification of suspicion is considered an essential step in establishing the chain of command responsible for the mass executions of civilians, after Russian forces left behind over 450 corpses. Ukrainian prosecutors had previously issued notifications for dozens of Russian soldiers, but this is the first concerning a commander. Kim is suspected of 17 murders and the mistreatment of civilians, and evidence suggests a systematic plan of crimes.

The Kremlin has rejected the accusations, describing the events in Bucha as a setup. The investigation is based on testimonies and forensic evidence, and Ukrainian authorities continue to investigate high-level responsibility.