On May 29, 2026, the Investigative Department of the Security Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv region reported a modification of the previously issued notice of suspicion against four russian generals and one colonel who organized the air strike on the Epicentr hypermarket in Kharkiv on May 25, 2024, which killed 19 people.
For the first time, the notice assesses the damage caused by this war crime at nearly UAH 1.2 billion.
Who are the suspects
Lapin Alexander Pavlovich (born January 1, 1964) is a citizen of the russian federation and a colonel general. He served as commander of the Leningrad Military District of the russian Armed Forces and commander of the North Group of Forces. He is considered the organizer and initiator of the strike.
Solodchuk Valery Nikolayevich (born March 24, 1971) is a lieutenant general, chief of staff of the North Group of Forces and head of the fire-support planning group. He developed the strike plan.
Makovetsky Oleg Vladimirovich (born October 6, 1966) is a lieutenant general and commander of the 6th Air and Air Defense Army of the russian Armed Forces. He organized the use of aviation assets.
Podoplyelov Yury Yuryevich (born October 16, 1967) is a major general and deputy commander of the 6th Air and Air Defense Army. He calculated the number of aircraft and munitions required for the strike.
Loboda Oleksiy Hennadiyovych (born June 20, 1978) is a colonel and commander of the 47th Bomber Aviation Regiment. He issued the direct order to the pilots to carry out the bombing.
Circumstances of the crime
With the aim of terrorizing the civilian population, Lapin, commander of the North Group of Forces, instructed his first deputy, Solodchuk, to develop a plan for a strike against the Epicentr hypermarket located at 9A Neskorenykh Street in Kharkiv. After that, Solodchuk, together with aviation representative Podoplyelov, who calculated the required timing, number of aircraft and munitions, translated this concept into specific operational proposals.
After approving the plan, Lapin transmitted the order to destroy the target to Makovetsky, commander of the 6th Air and Air Defense Army. Makovetsky, in turn, passed the combat order to Loboda, commander of the 47th Bomber Aviation Regiment, who assigned the final combat mission to the subordinate aircrews to bomb the hypermarket.
On May 25, 2024, at approximately 3:50 p.m., russian Su-34 aircraft from the 47th Aviation Regiment took off from the Buturlinovka airfield in Voronezh region and, after reaching the launch area in Belgorod region, carried out three deliberate strikes using Unified Inter-Service Gliding Munitions (UMPB D-30SN) weighing up to 200 kilograms and equipped with high-explosive fragmentation incendiary warheads.
As a result of the strike, 19 civilians, including two children, who were inside the shopping facility, were killed. Another 46 civilians sustained injuries.
The shopping center building was completely destroyed. Direct material losses suffered by Epicentr exceeded UAH 330.46 million. Environmental damage is estimated at more than UAH 860.13 million. In addition, damage totaling approximately UAH 3.8 million was inflicted on nearby businesses and banks.
Suspicion
Lapin and his accomplices were served notices of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war combined with intentional homicide).
The actions of the russian command grossly violated the provisions of the Hague Convention on the Laws and Customs of War on Land (1907) and Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which require parties to distinguish between civilians and combatants and categorically prohibit attacks on civilian objects. These actions also constitute a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Information on the pre-trial investigation was entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under No. 22024220000000644 on May 25, 2024.
