Bellingcat: The shelling of Mariupol was led by Russian generals

The shelling of Mariupol on January 24, 2015 was commanded by four Russian general general. This is stated in the publication of the Bellingcat investigation group.

As a result of the shelling of the Mariupol region, 31 people died, another 117 civilians were injured. Among the dead and wounded there were children.

Stepan Yaroshchuk, the head of the missile troops and artillery of the Southern Military District, participated in the murder of civilians, the head of the Penza branch of the Military Academy of Minor and Technical Support of the Ministry of Defense, Colonel (now Major General) Alexander Tsaplyuk, the head of the missile forces and artillery of the Western Military District, General Major Oleg Kushvynov (at the time of the events-Polikovnik) and Polikovnik) and Polikovnik). Major General Dmitry Klimenko.

In addition, Alexander Muratov and Sergey Lisai, named in the investigation by colonels, Sergey Yurchenko and Maxim Vlasov, indicated as lieutenant colonels, and officer Alekander Grunchev (the title is not given) were involved in the shelling.

Yaroshchuk, Tsaplyuk, Muratov, Vlasov, Yurchenko and Grunchev were commanded by artillery divisions at different levels, and Kuvshinov, Klimenko and Lisai answered the selection and crossing across the border of artillery commanders and RSC attitudes, and is approved in the investigation.

The personalities of two mercenaries who personally commanded artillery units who shot at Mariupol were identified - this is Alexander Evtodi (Pepel) and the Grais of Egiazaryan (scar).

Bellingcat participants managed to establish the identities of nine Russian officers and four mercenaries thanks to audio and video recordings - in particular, intercepted negotiations of the Russian military, which Kyiv transferred to the UN International Court.

According to the group, for an attack on Mariupol on January 23, 2015, two batteries of missile systems of salvo fire (MLRS) were transported across the Russian-Ukrainian border. On the morning of the 24th, these batteries were deployed next to the village of Bezymyannaya in the Donetsk region for shelling Mariupol and its environs. Subsequently, military equipment was returned to Russia.

The participation of Russian generals in the shelling of Mariupol was confirmed by the head of the SBU Vasily Gritsak. He clarified that Yaroshchuk led the attack on the city from Russia, Tsaplyuk commanded artillerymen from Donetsk, and Vlasov directly led the division of the RSZO attitudes.

In December last year, Bellingcat and The Insider managed to establish a key person involved in the case of the destruction of the MH-17 Malaysian airlines-it turned out to be the main Central Military District, retired Major General Nikolai Tkachev.