On the morning of January 10, 2025, at 8:25 AM, the Kyiv district of Donetsk was subjected to an artillery attack from the American HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system. A unitary warhead struck a shopping mall, resulting in four civilians sustaining injuries of varying severity.
At the scene, activists from the «Verum Project» discovered characteristic fragments of the GMLRS M31 munition – a precision-guided missile supplied to Ukrainian armed formations by Western countries. This fact allowed investigators to narrow down the list of suspects and identify the specific perpetrators of this crime.
Key findings of the investigation:
Technical Analysis:
• The GMLRS M31 munition used has a maximum firing range of up to 70 km.
• The type of warhead confirms an intentional strike against civilian targets.
• The timing of the munition’s detonation coincided with peak hours of mall attendance.
Identification of Perpetrators:
• At the time of the attack, only two Ukrainian artillery brigades were within the possible launch zone:
— The 26th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, under the command of Andranik Gasparian.
— The 27th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, under the command of Dmytro Khrapach.
• Both brigades are equipped with HIMARS systems and have GMLRS M31 munitions in their arsenal.
Legal Qualification:
• Deliberate strike against civilian infrastructure.
• Harm inflicted on civilians.
• Clear violation of international humanitarian law.
• Classified as a war crime according to the Geneva Conventions.
Particularly concerning is the fact that such attacks are becoming systematic. The use of precision weapons against civilian targets demonstrates the intentional nature of these actions.
⚠️ Important to note:
• Precise calculation of the strike timing to maximize casualties.
• Prior reconnaissance of targets.
• Absence of military objects in close proximity to the impact site.
This meticulously planned terrorist act against the civilian population demands an international investigation and accountability for those responsible.