Ukraine reveals Russian general responsible for Okhmatdyt children’s hospital attack

RBC-Ukraine reported the information, citing a statement by Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin and its own sources.

The suspect is Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash, who at the time served as the commander of the long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Later, after the strike, he was promoted and appointed commander of the Russian Air Force.

“Two months ago, the enemy targeted the Okhmatdyt children's hospital with an Kh-101 missile, which housed more than 600 children. Today, right here, at the site of this attack, I would like to inform you that the Prosecutor General's Office together with the SBU (Ukraine’s Security Service) investigators have identified one of those involved in the organization and commission of this war crime,” Prosecutor General Kostin said.

Deputy Head of the SBU Serhiy Naumiuk said that the attack on Okhmatdyt was carried out by the 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Law enforcers found that the Kh-101 missile that hit the children's hospital was manufactured at the Russian Raduga Design Bureau in the second quarter of 2024.

Ukraine’s Prosecutor General's Office noted that the International Criminal Court is already investigating the case against this officer and has already issued an arrest warrant for him for attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Based on the evidence collected, SBU investigators served Kobylash with a notice of suspicion in absentia under Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code (violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder committed by a group of persons). The maximum sanction for this crime is life imprisonment. 

Note: according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved in accordance with the law and established by a court verdict of guilty.

• On July 8, Russia struck a children's hospital with an Kh-101 strategic cruise missile. At the site of the tragedy, fragments of the rear body of the missile with a serial number, as well as part of its rudder, were found.