The SBU has identified the Russian generals who ordered the strike on the "Epicenter" in Kharkiv.

Investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine have identified Russian military personnel, including four generals, who orchestrated an attack on the "Epicenter" construction hypermarket in Kharkiv. The Russians launched the assault on May 25, 2024, resulting in 19 fatalities. This was reported on Thursday, January 30, by the SBU press service.

SBU investigators determined that the order to strike the "Epicenter" came from General Colonel Aleksandr Lapin, commander of the "Sever" grouping of the Russian armed forces. The planning of the attack was overseen by Lieutenant General Valeriy Solodchuk, the chief of staff of this grouping. Additionally, three of General Lapin's subordinates were involved in the planning and execution of the strike:

• Lieutenant General Oleg Makovetsky, commander of the 6th Army of the Russian Air Force and Air Defense;
• Major General Yuriy Podoplelov, chief of staff of the 6th Army of the Russian Air Force;
• Colonel Oleksiy Loboda, commander of the 47th Bomber Aviation Regiment of the 6th Army of the Russian Air Force.

“To carry out the hostile strike, the Russians deployed Su-34 bombers, which dropped three aerial bombs UMPB D-30SN on the Kharkiv hypermarket. Two of the bombs hit the building of the civilian facility, while another fell near the shopping center and did not detonate,” the SBU reported.

SBU investigators have announced suspicions against all five Russian military personnel for violating the laws and customs of war, resulting in loss of life (part 2 of article 28, part 2 of article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Currently, Ukrainian law enforcement is working to hold the Russian war criminals accountable.

As a reminder, on the afternoon of May 25, 2024, Russian military forces struck the "Epicenter" construction hypermarket in the Kyiv district of Kharkiv. By the evening of the same day, it was reported that six people had died as a result of the attack; however, by the next morning, May 26, the head of the Kharkiv OVA announced that the death toll had risen to 12.

Another day later, on May 27, it was revealed that the toll from the Russian strike had reached 18 individuals. However, on the morning of May 29, a 40-year-old man who sustained 50% burns from the Russian attack on the hypermarket died in the hospital. Consequently, the death toll increased to 19. Among the deceased were a 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy. Additionally, 46 residents of the city sustained injuries.