Russian Colonel Sentenced to Life for War Crimes in Kherson
A life sentence has been handed down in absentia to Colonel Dmitry Zharkikh, commander of the 8th Artillery Regiment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, for war crimes resulting in numerous civilian casualties in Kherson, reports 24brussels.
The investigation revealed that in December 2022, Zharkikh ordered rocket attacks on the central part of liberated Kherson using BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers. The strikes were launched from the left bank of the Kherson region.
The shelling destroyed residential buildings, a hospital, and other civilian infrastructure, resulting in at least 13 civilian deaths and over 60 injuries of varying severity.
Following the attack on civilians and the destruction of infrastructure, the command of the Russian armed forces awarded the 8th Artillery Regiment the honorary title of “Guards.”
Based on the evidence collected, the court found Zharkikh guilty of war crimes leading to civilian fatalities.
The investigation was conducted by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in Kherson region in collaboration with the State Border Guard Service under the procedural guidance of the regional prosecutor’s office.
Previously, it was reported that the SBU detained a “mole” of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) in the State Special Transport Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The SBU noted that the GRU agent was a mobilized member of the combat brigade of the State Special Transport Service.
