The in-absentia charge concerns an alleged order to attack the philosopher’s museum in 2022. Prosecutors have also sent indictments against two subordinate commanders to court.
Ukraine has charged a Russian lieutenant general in absentia—without him present—over allegedly ordering the 2022 missile strike on the Hryhoriy Skovoroda National Literary Memorial Museum. Ukraine’s prosecutor general announced the charge, ARTnews said in its October 30 report, identifying the officer as commander of Russia’s 6th Guards Air and Air Defense Forces Army.
The case concerns an attack on an estate in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region where Hryhoriy Skovoroda, an 18th-century Ukrainian philosopher, spent his final years and died in 1794. The estate housed the museum dedicated to him.
The Prosecutor General’s Office said prosecutors approved the general’s indictment on 23 October 2026. It accuses him of violating the laws and customs of war by prior conspiracy with others, under Article 28(2) and Article 438(1) of Ukraine’s Criminal Code.
Prosecutors allege that the general deliberately selected the museum for destruction, knowing it was a protected cultural heritage site rather than a military target. They say he gave the strike order to the commander of the 105th Aviation Division, who passed it to a fighter aviation regiment’s commander.
Investigators say a Russian Su-35S fighter fired a Kh-35 anti-ship missile at the museum in Skovorodynivka on 6 May 2022. The strike injured 1 civilian guarding the museum.
Prosecutors say the attack destroyed the roof and floors and damaged the walls, windows, doors and exhibits. The damage left the historic building unsafe to use.
The Prosecutor General’s Office said indictments against the two subordinate commanders had already been sent to court. The general faces eight to 12 years in prison if convicted.
Kyivvodokanal said Russian attacks had cut power to its main water facilities on 3 November. The whole metro network was also suspended, while the water supplier and electricity workers worked to restore service.
1 min
Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged further energy and winter assistance at a Berlin meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The planned winter aid would total €200 million (about $223.7 million), news agency dpa said.
2 min
UNICEF counts about 270 attacks in 2026. From the start of the 2026–2027 academic year through 20 October, school-time alarms averaged 34 hours, equivalent to more than 13% of scheduled learning; more than 560,000 children in three regions faced over 60 hours, roughly one quarter of scheduled learning. UNICEF says work on shelters and learning support continues.
2 min
