Military intelligence identifies Russian soldiers involved in deadly Komyshuvakha aid center strike

Ukraine's military intelligence has identified Russian military personnel allegedly responsible for a Nov. 2 airstrike on a school in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine. The attack killed at least 55 civilians and left over 50 others missing. Russian forces targeted the village multiple times on Nov. 2, initially striking an underground school where residents sought aid.

One bomb, a 3-ton FAB-3000, contained more than 1,000 kilograms of explosives. HUR identified Colonel Fedor Zubakov, head of the fire-strike planning group at Russia's Dnepr Group of Forces, as the officer who planned the attack. Six Russian pilots are suspected of carrying out the bombing, including Captains Sergei Yeliseyev, Dmitry Zverev, Senior Lieutenant Rodion Plotnikov, Senior Lieutenant Nikita Ignatyev, Senior Lieutenant Maksim Sokolenko, and Lieutenant Vadim Perekhrest.

At least four Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers were involved in the operation. HUR identified these individuals as part of efforts to document Russian war crimes. President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a strong international response, stating that such attacks demand a strong response and that evil always goes further if it goes unchallenged.

The ongoing rescue operation remains challenging due to the constant threat of further Russian strikes.