Massive shelling of Kharkiv in February 2022: who gave the order (photos, videos).

Law enforcement officials have identified four Russian commanders who, according to the investigation, organized a large-scale shelling of Kharkiv on February 28, 2022. As a result of the strike, eight people were killed, including a 17-year-old boy, and one woman was injured.

The Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office reminded that at that time, the Russian Armed Forces attacked with unguided rocket ammunition from the "Smerch" multiple rocket launcher system. The strikes affected a lane and 23 August Street, as well as Novoprudna, Sumgait, Otakar Yarosha, and Klochkivska streets.

“A number of high-rise buildings were damaged. A school was almost completely destroyed: expert assessments have established that the damage amounts to over 13 million hryvnias. A kindergarten was also hit – experts estimated the damage at nearly 2.2 million hryvnias,” the law enforcement officials added.

Video: Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office

According to the prosecutor's office, on February 24, 2022, units of the Russian Armed Forces grouping "West," formed from the western military district (hereinafter - zvo), were operating in the direction of Kharkiv, using indiscriminate weapons, particularly the "Smerch" multiple rocket launcher.

“On February 28, 2022, a group of fire and nuclear defeat from the zvo headquarters, under the direct command of a colonel of the Russian Armed Forces – deputy chief of staff of the zvo – prepared a decision to strike with cluster munitions from the "Smerch" multiple rocket launcher. The decision was approved directly by the Colonel General of the Russian Armed Forces – commander of the zvo and his first deputy – Lieutenant General of the Russian Armed Forces,” law enforcement officials determined.

They added that the colonel of the Russian Armed Forces – commander of the 79th rocket artillery brigade of the zvo (military unit 53956, Tver) ordered the execution of the command's decision and the strike on Kharkiv.

The law enforcement officials have announced charges in absentia against the Russian commanders under part 2 of Article 28, part 2 of Article 438 (war crimes) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, reported the National Police in the Kharkiv region.