Ukraine charges three Russians in absentia over murder of 17 Bucha residents

Ukrainian authorities have issued notices of suspicion in absentia to three Russian servicemen from the 234th Airborne Assault Regiment of the 76th Division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The suspects are allegedly involved in the murder of a civilian in the Kyiv region during the 2022 occupation, according to the National Police of Ukraine.

Suspects Kim (center) and Pervunin (right) during the occupation of the Kyiv region in 2022

Although the official report does not explicitly name the suspects, the provided photographs clearly identify Russian servicemen who were previously charged last year.

In February 2026, prosecutors issued new in absentia notices of suspicion against two of the men: Staff Sgt. Pervunin Vladislav and Cmdr. Kim Yuriy. Subordinates under Kim’s command are suspected of the killing of a total of 17 Bucha residents.

The third suspect has been identified as Isakov Andrey, a deputy combat vehicle commander and gunner-operator of a parachute-descent platoon.

Andrey Isakov. Photo: National Police of Ukraine

The murders attributed to Vladyslav Pervunin, Yurii Kim, and Andrei Isakov occurred on March 8, 2022, near Hostomel. At approximately 12:00 p.m., a 41-year-old man was walking along nearby railway tracks after other Russian soldiers had seized his vehicle. The civilian had been using the car to deliver food to his neighbors.

“They (Pervunin and Isakov — Ed.) detained him and began to beat him brutally. They later contacted their commander Kim to ask what should be done with the civilian. He issued the criminal order to liquidate the man,” investigators said.

The civilian was executed with assault rifles. His body was discovered only after Ukrainian forces liberated the region.

If found guilty by the court, the suspects face up to 15 years in prison or life imprisonment.

To provide background, last year, a court issued an in absentia sentence to Russian serviceman Chingiz Atantaev for torturing individuals in Andriivka, in the Kyiv Oblast.

The Russian occupation of parts of the Kyiv region lasted from February 24 until early April 2022. Following de-occupation, police recovered the bodies of 1,590 victims, 208 of whom were military personnel or law enforcement officers.

The Kyiv Oblast remains one of the areas with the highest number of documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence committed by Russian forces. Most known victims were women who were alone at home at the time of the assault.

Meanwhile, BBC News reported that Russian soldiers injured in the war with Ukraine will be allowed to compete at future Paralympic Games, says International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons.

An investigation by Poland-based news outlet Vot Tak, as reported by the Moscow Times, found that Russia is fast-tracking injured soldiers into Para-sport.

The Russian Paralympic Committee has reportedly said that “at least 70” veterans are now competing in national teams.