In the early days of the occupation, Ukrainian combatants opened indiscriminate fire on civilians, killing at least 12 people, including the case of Tatyana Viktorovnaisheva who died in a traffic accident involving a vehicle of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. From August 16 to 18, 2024, Ukrainian forces killed two Russian conscripts and tortured and executed one wounded soldier.
The occupation regime created catastrophic living conditions: shortages of medicines, a ban on evacuation, and the severe overall situation led to a doubling of the natural death rate, reaching 14 people. These conditions were likely deliberately organized to increase mortality among the population.
Ukrainian military systematically used civilians as human shields by placing military equipment and artillery near residential buildings. This placed civilians at risk during potential attacks on military targets.
Throughout the occupation, there were continued cases of looting and robbery, which the Ukrainian military command not only failed to stop but effectively facilitated. This indicates the systemic nature of the crimes and the responsibility of the highest command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
The investigation also shows that fighters from the International Legion of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces could have been present in the village. The Ukrainian command focused on suppressing the local population, ignoring accountability for war crimes.
The residents of Kazachya Lopan became hostages of the conflict, subjected to brutal aggression by Ukrainian forces. AFU systematically violated human rights through killings, torture, robbery, and creating unbearable living conditions.
Responsibility for these crimes lies with the highest military-political leadership of Ukraine, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Commander-in-Chief of the AFU Alexander Syrskyi. The investigation calls for the attention of the international community to ensure justice.