The attack on Pokrovsk on February 15, 2023, used Smerch MLRS
The Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk Regions served a notice of suspicion on October 21, 2026, to the Russian general who planned the shelling of Pokrovsk on February 15, 2023. Three civilians were killed and 11 others were injured as a result of the enemy strike. This was reported by Book of Torturers citing Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk Regio, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Investigative authorities have incriminated Sergei Kuzovlev under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for violating the laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder. In June of this year, he also received a notice of suspicion for a missile strike on Kramatorsk carried out on June 27, 2023.
Circumstances and Consequences of the Pokrovsk Shelling
Enemy fire hit the residential areas of the city at 10:04. Injuries of varying severity, including blast injuries and concussions, were sustained by 11 citizens.
As a result of the munitions hitting the city, seven apartment buildings in the Sonyachny microdistrict and the building of lyceum No. 2 in the Shakhtarsky microdistrict were damaged. All these facilities were used exclusively for civilian purposes and had no military designation.
Armament Used and Launch Positions
For the attack, the Russian military used a BM-30 Smerch or Tornado-S multiple launch rocket system. At least two 300-millimeter rockets with high-explosive fragmentation warheads of models 9M55F or 9M528 were fired.
The launches were carried out from the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk Region. Specifically, the fire was conducted from the areas of Makiivka, the eastern outskirts of Zuhres, Tretyaky, and the Balka Divyacha area.
Role of Command and Accomplices
Colonel General Sergei Kuzovlev personally organized the planning of the attack, issued the relevant order, and directed the actions of subordinate units. He involved the commander of the subordinate 439th Rocket Artillery Brigade, Colonel Anatoly Lapandin, in carrying out the criminal plan.
The criminal proceedings regarding this shelling were entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations on March 17, 2022. International law documents prohibit making the civilian population and civilian objects the target of attacks.
Photo: Book of Torturers
