On April 6, 2026, the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine reported a change in suspicion against the commander of russian airborne troops who controlled the “Lisova Bucha” area during the temporary occupation in 2022. He is implicated in at least two dozen war crimes, including the murder of 17 civilians.

Who is the suspect

Kim Yurii Vladimirovich (born July 3, 1997) is a native of Mosrentgen settlement, Leninsky District, Moscow region, and registered in Kubinka, Odintsovo District, Moscow region. He is a serviceman of the 234th Air Assault Regiment (military unit 74268, Pskov) of the 76th Air Assault Division of the airborne troops of the armed forces of the russian federation. He served as commander of the 1st platoon of the 4th Air Assault Company of the 2nd Battalion Tactical Group.

On February 27, 2022, Kim’s unit, together with other elements of the 234th regiment, entered Bucha district on armored vehicles. On March 3, the колонна moved through the city along Sklozavodska and Yablunska streets. The next day, the unit attempted to advance toward Irpin but suffered losses from Ukrainian forces and withdrew. On March 5, the advance resumed — Kim’s platoon seized the Kyiv–Myrotska and Tsentralna intersection, establishing control over the eastern part of the city.

On March 7, the unit consolidated positions in the “Lisova Bucha” area along Ivan Franko, Naberezhna, Staryi Yablunska, Shota Rustaveli streets and nearby lanes, where checkpoints and observation posts were established and patrols organized.

Circumstances of the crimes

Killings on Kim’s direct orders (7 victims)

After taking control of the area, Kim ordered his subordinates to screen civilians, identify those with pro-Ukrainian views or suspected support for Ukrainian forces, and kill “suspicious” individuals.

• March 7: On Kim’s order, a resident of Naberezhna Street was taken to a basement and shot by russian soldier Pavlov with other servicemen.
• March 10: A local resident was detained, accused of adjusting fire after a monocular, an ATO badge, and military documents were found. Soldier Meshalkin took him to an unfinished building and shot him.
• March 12: Two residents were executed after photos of destroyed russian equipment were found on their phones; bodies were dumped in a drainage ditch.
• March 12 (second incident): Two homeowners were shot in the yard after items from destroyed russian armored vehicles were found in their possession.
• March 16: Subordinate Kretinin detained a resident near railway tracks between Bucha and Irpin and executed him in a private yard.

Killings due to command inaction (10 victims)

Kim also failed to prevent or report crimes committed by subordinates outside direct orders and, in some cases, organized concealment of evidence.

• March 7: An unidentified soldier shot a man near his home on Staryi Yablunska Street.
• March 15–18: A resident of Irpin was wounded, detained, taken to a basement, and executed after being stopped while traveling to Bucha.
• March 16–17: A local resident was shot in an alley in Bucha.
• March 19–25: Four civilians were executed in a private house; Kim later organized removal and burning of bodies.
• March 22: Two residents were detained and executed in a neighboring property; bodies were burned under Kim’s coordination.
• March 26: A man leaving his yard on the Krasovskyi family street was shot on the spot.

Torture (4 victims)

• March 7: A detainee was beaten, shot in the arm, and later executed in a basement after being accused of supporting Ukraine.
• March 26: Two civilians were interrogated at gunpoint, threatened with execution, and forced into a basement where a grenade was used for intimidation.
• March 28: A detainee was threatened with a grenade and shot near the feet after refusing orders to move into a garage.

Suspicion

Kim is suspected of issuing orders and directly committing violations of the laws and customs of war combined with intentional killings — offences under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Criminal proceedings No. 12025000000003060 were registered on November 20, 2025.