Ukraine has named Yurii Vladimirovich Kim, a platoon commander in the 76th Air Assault Division, as the main suspect in alleged systematic killings of civilians in Bucha during March 7–April 1, 2022. Prosecutors accuse him of 17 killings, four instances of ill-treatment, and attempts to burn victims’ bodies to destroy evidence. The case, supported by witness testimony, forensics and open-source intelligence, marks the first time a commander has received a Notice of Suspicion that could lead to a war crimes arrest warrant.
Ukraine Identifies Russian Platoon Commander Accused of Systematic Mass Killings in Bucha
Ukraine has named Yurii Vladimirovich Kim, a platoon commander in the 76th Air Assault Division, as the main suspect in alleged systematic killings of civilians in Bucha during March 7–April 1, 2022. Prosecutors accuse him of 17 killings, four instances of ill-treatment, and attempts to burn victims’ bodies to destroy evidence. The case, supported by witness testimony, forensics and open-source intelligence, marks the first time a commander has received a Notice of Suspicion that could lead to a war crimes arrest warrant.
08:56 PM, 11/20/2025Conflict
Ukraine has publicly identified Yurii Vladimirovich Kim, a platoon commander in Russia’s 76th Air Assault Division, as the officer accused of ordering systematic killings of civilians in Bucha during the Russian occupation in March–April 2022.
According to an indictment issued by Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, Kim is alleged to have ordered troops under his command to kill civilians between March 7 and April 1, 2022. Prosecutors say the charges link him to 17 killings and four separate instances of ill-treatment. They also allege he ordered the burning of victims’ bodies in an attempt to conceal the crimes.
Investigators and the legal team Global Rights Compliance, which assisted Ukrainian authorities in gathering evidence, said the case is supported by witness statements, forensic analysis, crime-scene reconstructions, identity parades, maps and open-source intelligence.
"The case highlights a methodical approach to war crimes committed by Russian forces, indicating that many atrocities in Bucha were part of a highly coordinated criminal plan that implicates Russian leadership," Global Rights Compliance said in a statement.
Officials note that this is the first time a commander has been issued a formal Notice of Suspicion in the Bucha investigations — a procedural step that could lead to a formal arrest warrant for war crimes. Ukrainian authorities say the move marks a shift from prosecuting low-ranking individuals toward addressing the decisions made higher in the chain of command.
Maksym Tsutskiridze, First Deputy Head of Ukraine’s National Police, said the ongoing work aims to reveal how orders flowed through units and turned into mass executions of civilians.
Bucha became emblematic of wartime atrocities after Russian forces withdrew and streets and basements were found littered with civilian bodies. Many victims were discovered in mass graves and others showed signs of torture.
The Kremlin has denied that its forces committed killings in Bucha and has alleged that images and reports were staged. Kim is reported to remain at large.