The investigation determined the roles of two spotters and five Russian military personnel in the tragedy in the Kharkiv region
The Prosecutor's Office has submitted to court an indictment against two Ukrainian citizens and five servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces involved in the missile strike on a cafe in Hroza village. The attack, which took place on October 5, 2023, killed 59 civilians. This is reported by the portal PromPolitInform, citing information from Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.
The tragedy occurred during a memorial lunch attended by local residents. The Iskander-M ballistic missile strike caused massive destruction and a high number of casualties, including an eight-year-old child. According to investigators, these losses accounted for about one-sixth of the village’s entire population.
Case materials and evidence
During the pre-trial investigation, experts conducted over 270 forensic examinations, utilized 3D scanning, and meticulously examined debris from the ammunition. This allowed law enforcement to reconstruct the missile’s flight trajectory and confirm the launch site, which formed the basis for the charges.
As the investigation established, two brothers who formerly lived in Hroza began cooperating with Russian forces during the occupation. It was they who provided the invaders with the cafe’s coordinates and informed them of the memorial service’s timing before fleeing to Russian territory.
The chain of command for the strike
The Russian military command organized the attack through a series of approvals. Enemy reconnaissance confirmed the presence of civilians at the establishment, after which the Deputy Commander for Fire Destruction submitted a proposal to conduct the strike. The final decision was made by the Chief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces’ joint grouping of troops.
The commander of the 119th Rocket Brigade ensured the order was directly executed, and his subordinates launched the missile at a civilian target. All five Russian military personnel and the two accomplices among the local residents are currently wanted, so the trial will proceed in their absence.
