Senior Russian Air Force Commander Suspected in Ukrainian Hospital Attack

Ukraine's prosecutor general identified a senior Russian air force commander as a suspect in a missile strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv in July. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for him. Investigations are ongoing to identify other responsible parties for the deadly attack.

Ukraine's prosecutor general announced on Tuesday that a senior Russian air force commander is now a suspect in the July missile strike on a children's hospital in central Kyiv, which resulted in two fatalities and significant damage. Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, who did not name the individual, revealed that the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has already issued an arrest warrant against him.

In March, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Sergei Kobylash, the commander of Russia's long-range aviation forces, suspecting him of war crimes, including targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. 'We are continuing the investigation to find other people responsible for the strike on Okhmatdyt,' Kostin stated, referring to the hospital during a briefing alongside ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, who is currently visiting Kyiv.

Kostin confirmed that the commander allegedly ordered the firing of a Kh-101 air-launched cruise missile from a Russian bomber at 10:45 a.m. on July 8, the day of the strike. Khan mentioned that a Kh-101 missile has been identified from multiple sources, but further analysis is required. Russia has categorically denied committing war crimes in Ukraine and has dismissed the ICC's arrest warrants as part of a Western campaign to defame the country.

(With inputs from agencies.)