Court chose a pre-trial detention for a Russian soldier who shot five Ukrainian servicemen and a civilian in Kharkiv region
The court chose pre-trial detention without the right to bail for Leonid Ryzhikov, a Russian occupier who shot five unarmed servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and one civilian in the Kharkiv region on October 13.
Friday, October 16, 2026, 19:46
This is stated in the message of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office on social networks, "DS" reports.
Previously, the 36-year-old citizen of the Russian Federation was notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – violation of the laws and customs of war, which resulted in death. The sanction of the article provides for imprisonment from 10 to 15 years or life imprisonment.
According to the investigation, the suspect with the call sign "Yula" is a native of St. Petersburg, who served in the 1009th Motor Rifle Regiment of the 68th Motor Rifle Division of the 6th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Armed Forces.
Around October 5-6, he set off on foot towards Kharkiv. On October 9, he reached a house near a lake, where he found civilian clothes and changed, trying to hide his affiliation with the Russian army. He kept his assault rifle with him.
According to the prosecutor's office, on the morning of October 13, in the village of Mykhailivka, Kharkiv district, the Russian soldier saw a 60-year-old local resident fishing and shot him in the head. The man died on the spot. After that, the occupier took his personal belongings and threw the body into the reservoir.
On the same day, the suspect reached the village of Momotove, Kharkiv district, and entered a private house where five servicemen of the 72nd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were located. The Russian soldier opened fire from his assault rifle and sequentially shot all five. They died on the spot from their wounds.
After the crime, he left the house, got rid of the weapon, and continued to move through a forest belt in the direction of the regional center.
As "DS" wrote, the next day, October 14, he was detained in one of the districts of Kharkiv.
Editor: Viktor Kostenko
