Shelling of the health route in Odesa — suspicion against a Russian colonel.

The prosecutor's office has announced suspicion against a colonel of the Russian army who ordered a missile strike on Odesa on April 29, 2024. This is about the first cluster munitions attack on our city, resulting in the death of 8 civilians, including a 4-year-old girl named Zlata. The suspect faces life imprisonment.

This was reported by the Prosecutor's Office.

Details of the case

Law enforcement identified and announced suspicion against the commander of the 12th missile brigade of the 58th combined arms army of the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces.

It concerns a Russian colonel who, on April 29, 2024, executing a combat order, gave the order to carry out a missile strike on Odesa. The target of the attack was one of the most popular recreational areas on the Black Sea coast - the 'Health Route'. The attack was carried out using the operational-tactical missile complex 'Iskander-M' with a cluster warhead. The launch took place from the area of the populated locality Novoselivske in the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Consequences of the attack

As a result of the attack, 8 civilians died, including a 4-year-old girl. Another 23 people sustained injuries of varying severity. At the Time of the strike, there were people in the impact zone who were relaxing, exercising, and walking. Nearby are private houses, sports grounds, restaurants, and a park area. The shelling damaged several civilian objects, including a rented building of one of the universities (also known as the Harry Potter Castle).

The military command of the Russian Federation was fully aware of the civilian nature of this area and the absence of any military or strategic objects. Moreover, it understood that the use of cluster munitions in such a location would lead to numerous casualties among the civilian population.

What punishment is threatened

The suspect has been informed of suspicion under part 2 of article 28 and part 2 of article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder committed by a group of individuals by prior conspiracy). The sanction of the articles provides for life imprisonment.

Recall that recently we wrote about the of the first cluster shelling of Odesa. Also about how the Harry Potter Castle in Odesa looks today after the attack a year ago.

The Ukrainian prosecutor's office has announced suspicion against the Russian colonel responsible for the missile strike on Odesa. This attack resulted in 8 deaths and numerous injuries. The suspect faces life imprisonment for violating the laws and customs of war.