Two Russian servicemen from the Pskov Airborne Division have been served notices of suspicion under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

On April 28, 2026, investigators notified two servicemen of the armed forces of the russian federation of suspicion in the killing of an unarmed civilian woman in Bucha during the occupation of the city in 2022.

Who are the suspects

Vitalii Mashkov (born December 25, 2001) is a native of Saratov, russian federation. He served as a gunner in a parachute platoon of the 3rd parachute company of the 1st battalion tactical group of the 234th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Air Assault Division of the Airborne Troops (military unit 74268). His rank was private.

Konstantin Medvedev (born January 11, 1996) is a native of the village of Vidany, Republic of Karelia, russian federation. He served as a platoon commander and combat vehicle commander in the 3rd air assault company of the 1st battalion tactical group of the same 234th regiment. His rank was junior sergeant.

Circumstances of the crime

Both suspects had been directly involved in russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine since February 24, 2022, having entered the country from the territory of Belarus.

Between February 27 and March 30, 2022, they were stationed in the city of Bucha, where their unit controlled Sklozavodska Street and the surrounding area.

On March 25, 2022, at approximately 13:00, while patrolling a residential courtyard on Sklozavodska Street, they noticed a local resident returning home carrying water for cooking. Despite recognizing her as a civilian, the suspects opened fire with assault rifles.

The woman attempted to flee but was fatally shot and died at the scene.

The suspects were aware of the presence of civilians in the area, as they had previously conducted checks of residents and maintained nearby checkpoints.

Notice of suspicion

The actions of Mashkov and Medvedev have been classified as a violation of the laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), constituting a grave breach of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons.

The criminal proceedings were registered in the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under No. 42022112320000037 on February 27, 2022.