UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Jul. 22 — The Kharkiv regional Prosecutor’s Office referred to court a case against five Russian military commanders who organized an attack on Epicanter hypermarket in the Kyivskyi district of Kharkiv in 2024, killing 19 and injuring 46 people, the Kharkiv prosecutors’ press service said.

On May 25, 2024, in the evening, Russia hit the hypermarket with three guided bombs.

According to the prosecutors, some bombs containing about 100 kilograms (~221 pounds) of explosives struck the building directly, and some landed nearby. A 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were among the killed locals.

“On that weekend, there were about 200 people at Epicenter. They were civilians with children and store employees,” said one of the Kharkiv prosecutors.

Officials identified five Russian military commanders who developed the plan to attack the hypermarket, issued the order, and supervised its completion. Four Russian generals and a colonel were among them.

According to the investigation, the commander of the Russian Northern Military Group made the decision and tasked the chief of staff to develop an attack plan. He prepared the combat orders. The first deputy commander of the Russian Army’s 6th air force conducted the technical calculations. The commander, a native of Chuhuiv in the Kharkiv region, issued the combat order to launch the air strike. The commander of the 47th aviation regiment then relayed the order to his subordinates, who launched the bombs.

The Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the environmental damage exceeded $19 million, and that the Russian attack caused damage to Epicenter itself valued over $7 million.

Read more

  • Russian FPV drone hits gas station in Kharkiv, injuring 5 people

This summer, Russia bombs Kharkiv as much as it can, and our newsroom keeps working despite it all. If you want to support us amidst it all, please consider buying us a $5 coffee or subscribing to our community long-term.