Nine civilians killed in Lviv strike: Ukrainian prosecutors charge Black Sea Fleet commanders with war crimes
Top command of Russia's Black Sea Fleet notified of suspicion over war crimes (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The Office of the Prosecutor General has notified the commander and chief of staff of Russia's Black Sea Fleet of suspicion, who investigators consider involved in organizing the missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Lviv on July 6, 2023, the Office of the Prosecutor General reports.
According to the investigation, they were the ones who planned the attack that led to the deaths of civilians and significant destruction of civilian infrastructure, as well as damage to cultural heritage sites.
How the strike occurred
The investigation established that Russian troops carried out the strike with sea-based 3M-14 Kalibr cruise missiles launched from surface ships and submarines of the Black Sea Fleet in the waters of the Black Sea.
One of the targets was a residential area. As a result of the attack, nine civilians were killed, and residential buildings, transport, and other civilian infrastructure were damaged.
Damage to cultural heritage sites
As a result of the attack, the historic part of Lviv was affected — 17 architectural monuments of local significance located in the buffer zone of a UNESCO World Heritage site were damaged.
The actions of the suspects have been classified as a violation of the laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder, committed by a group of persons in prior conspiracy.
Destruction of cultural heritage in Ukraine
According to the investigation, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Russia, 1,685 cultural heritage sites have been damaged.
Within the relevant criminal proceedings, 16 individuals have already been notified of suspicion, and the investigation continues to identify other representatives of the military and political leadership of Russia involved in the attacks.
Suspicions against Russian military personnel
Earlier, the Security Service of Ukraine had issued notices of suspicion in absentia to four Russian servicemen involved in organizing a missile strike on Kryvyi Rih on April 4, 2025. As a result of that attack, 20 people were killed, including nine children.
Previously, the Security Service also collected evidence against the command of Russian armed formations involved in a missile strike on Lviv on the night of September 3–4, 2024.
In addition, notices of suspicion in absentia were issued to two Russian colonels who commanded a missile strike on a high-rise building in Uman on April 23, 2023, when 24 people were killed, including six children.
