13 July, 21:31

Number of Russia's Criminal Cases Against Kiev's Forces Continues to Increase

© Photo: RIA Novosti/Sergei Pivovarov

By John Robles Moscow July 13, 2014

Since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine the government of the Russian Federation, the Russian Armed Forces, the president of the Russian Federation and Russia's leaders have dealt with the threat to Russia's national security strictly within the guidelines of international and national law, in keeping with all international norms and conventions, within the framework of the United Nations and its charter and have maintained the moral and ethical high ground.

By strictly following Russia's obligations under international law and within the framework of the Russian Constitution, President Putin has struggled to reach a peaceful settlement to the upheaval which continues unabated on the territory of what was its closest neighbor and has handled the crisis from day one as a force for peace, stability and the protection of civilian lives.

Sadly, despite all of Russia's efforts the continued provocations, the shelling of Russian territory and the killing of Russian citizens, ethnic Russians in Ukraine and innocent civilians continues not only unabated but at an accelerated rate since the so-called election of Petr Poroshenko.

Latest Developments

According to the officials and reports from the scene at approximately 09:02 local time the city of Donetsk (a city in the Rostov Region of the Russian Federation) became the target of shelling from the Ukrainian army. Two private homes were damaged, an elderly woman was injured and the 47 year old father of four was killed instantly when a shell hit the garden of his home as he was sitting on the veranda.

After the arrival of investigators and journalists at the scene of the tragic murder, a Ukrainian Air Force fighter jet entered Russian airspace and launched an airstrike on a target reportedly on the Ukrainian side of the border. According to TV interviews of residents and witnesses at the scene, the Ukrainian aviation regularly violates Russian airspace in the area and many residents have been forced to abandon their homes.

Moscow has yet to issue a statement on the violations of its airspace by the Ukrainian Air Force but there is no doubt that the response will be harsh. Along with recent attacks on Russian Embassies, recent statements by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine and a relentless series of other provocations against the Russian Federation, such a violation of airspace and the bombing of Russian territory resulting in the killing of Russian citizens are clear acts of war against Russia. However despite the almost non-stop provocations form the Ukrainian side Russia continues to refuse to be drawn into the crisis militarily.

The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Grigory Karasin has promised a tough response stating that: "The incident is evidence of a profound escalation of danger for Russian citizens on Russian territory. Naturally, this action will not be left without a corresponding reaction. The talk with the Ukrainian side on this issue is going to be serious and tough. The incident once again confirms the need for the quickest end to bloodshed in east Ukraine and the resumption of talks within the contact group with the participation of all the warring sides in Ukraine," said the diplomat in a radio interview according to reports by Itar-Tass.

In a further escalation Itar-Tass also reports that: "On Saturday, July 12, the Ukrainian military fired at a Russian border guard squad in the Kuibyshev district of the Rostov Region on the Russian-Ukrainian border. The Russian border guards fired with their weapons in response, after which the shelling ceased," according to the spokesman for the regional border guard branch Vasily Malayev.

Russian Investigative Committee

Itar-Tass also reports that Russian investigators have launched a murder investigation and the related criminal probe into the shelling of a private home, according to Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin. He also said investigators are working on the scene to find out all the circumstances of the incident.

The Russian Investigative Committee has already opened dozens of criminal cases against figures in the junta in Kiev, soldiers, snipers, pilots and other who are engaged in the punitive military operations in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics.

Near the end of June the investigative committee placed Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and the head of Dnepropetrovsk's regional administration oligarch Igor Kolomoisky on international wanted lists. They are now wanted in all Interpol member states. The charges against them include: murder, the use of prohibited means and methods of warfare, the obstruction of professional activities of journalists, and abduction

A member of the military loyal to Kiev was also recently arrested after being caught without documents after illegally entering Russian territory. So far there is no word on what form of mission she was on. The Ukrainian, Nadezhda Savchenko, was charged with complicity in murder of reporters of the Russian state television and radio broadcasting company (VGTRK).

Federal Prosecutor's list

So far the Russian Investigative Committee has launched criminal investigations, filed charges or placed on international wanted list the following people as well: Igor Mazur, Valery Bobrovich, Dmitry Korchinsky, Andrey Tyagnibok, Oleg Tyagnibok, Dmitry Yarosh, Vladimir Mamalyga, Dmitry Yarosh, and others.

The Investigative Committee is continuing its work already have questioned at least 2,400 witnesses. Their work is aimed at establishing specific servicemen and members of military units of the National Guard of Ukraine and the Right Sector who are killing civilians. This includes pilots, gunners, snipers and those who have given and executed orders to conduct airstrikes, artillery shelling and the bombing of civilians and the destruction of towns in the south-east of Ukraine.

Russia intends to prosecute all officials, military officers and anyone directly taking part in the punitive operations without exception. This includes those who give orders and those who are funding the killing of civilians. In this regard, the Investigation