On May 25, 2026, the Security Service of Ukraine in Sumy region served notices of suspicion under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine on three russian generals and one colonel who organized and directed indiscriminate artillery attacks on the city of Sumy, resulting in the deaths and injuries of dozens of civilians, as well as the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

Who are the suspects

Kravtsov Аleksandr Aleksandrovich (born March 10, 1980) is a citizen of the russian federation and a lieutenant general. At the time of the crimes, he held the positions of commander of the Kursk group of forces, head of the Kursk operational group and, concurrently, chief of staff — first deputy commander of the troops of the Leningrad Military District of the russian Armed Forces.

Kulgavyuk Vitaly Dmitrievich (born July 31, 1971) is a citizen of the russian federation and a colonel. He served as chief of staff — deputy commander of the Kursk group of forces and, concurrently, held the position of head of a department within the Operational Directorate of the Leningrad Military District of the russian Armed Forces.

Lapin Alexander Pavlovich (born January 1, 1964) is a citizen of the russian federation and a colonel general. He served as commander of the North group of forces and, concurrently, as commander of the Leningrad Military District of the russian Armed Forces.

Ryumshin Sergey Pavlovich (born September 13, 1965) is a citizen of the russian federation and a major general. He served as acting chief of staff — first deputy commander of the North group of forces and, concurrently, as head of the Administrative and Territorial Directorate — deputy chief of staff of the Leningrad Military District of the russian Armed Forces.

Circumstances of the crimes

In early summer 2025, the military-political leadership of the russian federation decided to launch a new offensive in this direction in order to create a so-called “buffer zone” along the border.

Lapin, commander of the “North” group, and his deputy Ryumshin developed an operational plan for an offensive in Sumy region, after which Kravtsov and Kulgavyuk translated it into specific combat tasks for subordinate units, in particular for the 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the russian Armed Forces, whose commanders were served notices of suspicion in November 2025.

To implement the plan, the suspects ordered the use of BM-21 “Grad” multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) with 122 mm high-explosive fragmentation unguided rockets, understanding that their use in attacks on a densely populated city would inevitably result in strikes on civilian objects and civilians.

The investigation documented three strikes in this case, carried out in the first days of June 2025.

• June 2. The target was the PRIME gas station. However, the rockets deviated by almost three to four kilometers and struck the premises of civilian enterprises and a summer cottage cooperative. As a result, two civilian women were injured.
• June 3. The target was one of the buildings of the Sumy Machine-Building Scientific and Production Association, but due to a significant deviation, the rockets struck a residential area, the courtyard of Clinical Hospital No. 4, the railway station and the roadway. The strike killed six civilians, including one child, and injured 24 civilians, including two children. Dozens of apartment buildings, a hospital and vehicles were damaged.
• June 5. The target was a warehouse at the Patriot industrial park. The rockets again deviated by almost one and a half kilometers and struck an agricultural field near the village of Verkhnie Pishchane, damaging a power transmission line belonging to Sumyoblenergo.

Suspicion

Kravtsov, Kulgavyuk, Lapin and Ryumshin were served notices of suspicion under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war).

Their actions grossly violated the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, as well as Additional Protocol I. They also meet the elements of war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which expressly prohibits attacks causing incidental civilian deaths or injuries if such harm is clearly disproportionate to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated.

Information on the pre-trial investigation was entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under No. 12025200480001517 on June 2, 2025.