Ukrainian law enforcement has charged a Russian soldier, identified as Oleksiy Vereshchahin, with war crimes committed during the occupation of Kyiv Oblast. This development follows an investigation by the National Police of Ukraine’s Criminal Investigation Department and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense.
Vereshchahin, a member of the Russian battalion known as “Wolves,” is accused of threatening a local family in the village of Kachaly during the Russian military’s advance in March 2022. Reports indicate that he and other soldiers conducted raids on homes, instilling fear among residents.
“Upon breaking into a private residence, the 45-year-old militant threatened a mother with a loaded assault rifle, demanding that she and her two young children leave their home immediately,” stated the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department.
The Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the family was forced to abandon their home due to the threats, which left them without shelter until the end of the occupation. This incident was highlighted in a report by the investigative journalism project “Schemes,” which has been tracking the activities of the so-called private military company (PMC) “Redut.” This group is linked to the Russian military’s Main Intelligence Directorate and is involved in covert recruitment for the war in Ukraine.
In addition to the war crime charges, Vereshchahin has previously faced accusations of state treason as part of an international operation dubbed “Avengers.” This operation aims to gather evidence against individuals involved in war crimes.
The investigation into “Redut” has unveiled significant details about the operations of this second notable Russian armed formation, following the Wagner Group. Journalists from “Schemes” and other projects have accessed data from soldiers’ phones and unique documents, interviewing recruiters and soldiers’ relatives to reveal the conditions under which these fighters enlist and the financial incentives they receive.
Furthermore, the investigation has traced the movements of “Redut” fighters across various regions in Ukraine, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Luhansk. It has also identified key figures from the Main Intelligence Directorate who oversee these volunteer formations and detailed the structure of the “Redut” unit.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts by Ukrainian authorities to hold accountable those involved in war crimes, as well as the broader implications of the conflict for both Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainian authorities have charged Russian soldier Oleksiy Vereshchahin with war crimes related to the occupation of Kyiv Oblast. His actions, including threatening a local family, have been documented through investigations linking him to the Russian military's activities in Ukraine.