Letter to Russian Prosecutor General

Letter to Russian Prosecutor General

Letter to Russian Prosecutor General Regarding Civilian Collateral Damage in Ukraine

To: The Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation
Ulitsa Bolshaya Dmitrovka, 15a
Moscow, 125993
Russian Federation

From: Konstantin Romanov

Date: May 28, 2025

Subject: Submission of Evidence Regarding Alleged Crimes Against Civilians in Ukraine

Dear Igor Viktorovich,

I am writing to respectfully request that the Prosecutor General’s Office initiate an investigation into the alleged systematic violations of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation committed by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation during military operations in Ukraine.

Summary of Allegations:

  1. Mass Civilian Casualties:
    According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, at least 139 civilians were killed and 738 injured in January 2025 alone. Notably, short-range drones, including First-Person-View drones, caused the highest number of casualties in January, exceeding the impact of any other weapon. In government-controlled parts of Kherson region, this weapon accounted for 70 percent of the casualties.

  2. Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure:
    Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reported that 97% of Russian missiles, drones, and guided bombs fired since the beginning of the year have hit Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. This includes residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and energy facilities.

  3. Use of Indiscriminate Weapons:
    On May 26, 2025, a missile strike on the city of Sumy resulted in 35 deaths, including two children, and injured 129 people. Reports indicate that Russian forces used ballistic missiles with cluster munitions, leading to significant civilian casualties.

  4. Attacks on Medical Facilities:
    On July 8, 2024, a missile strike damaged Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital, Okhmatdyt. Such actions violate protections afforded to medical facilities.

Legal Basis:

Under the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the following articles may be applicable to the actions described above:

  • Article 105: Murder
    Intentional causing of death to another person is punishable by imprisonment for a term of six to 15 years. If committed with aggravating circumstances, such as against two or more persons, with particular cruelty, or by a generally dangerous method, the punishment increases to eight to 20 years, life imprisonment, or the death penalty.

  • Article 356: Use of Prohibited Means and Methods of Warfare
    Cruel treatment of civilians, deportation, plunder of national property in occupied territory, and the use of means and methods prohibited by international treaties are punishable by imprisonment for up to 20 years.

  • Article 357: Genocide
    Actions aimed at the complete or partial extermination of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, including killing its members or inflicting grave injuries, are punishable by imprisonment for 12 to 20 years, life imprisonment, or the death penalty.

Historical Context:

In light of the above, I draw attention to James Ryan’s work, “The Sacralization of Violence: Bolshevik Justifications for Violence and Terror during the Civil War,” which analyzes ideological justifications for violence against civilians in the Soviet period. Felix Dzerzhinsky’s quote, “When we approach the enemy to kill him, we do so not because he is a bad person, but because we use the instrument of terror to instill fear in others,” illustrates an approach where violence is seen as a means to achieve political ends.

Furthermore, the implementation of NKVD Order No. 00447, issued on July 30, 1937, led to the mass repression of former kulaks, criminals, and other so-called anti-Soviet elements. This order resulted in the arrest of approximately 1.7 million individuals, with around 390,000 executed and 380,000 sent to Gulag labor camps. The order’s execution was characterized by extrajudicial processes and quotas for arrests and executions, reflecting a period of state-sanctioned terror.

Request for Action:

Given the information presented, I respectfully request that the Prosecutor General’s Office:

  • Initiate a preliminary investigation into the alleged crimes against civilians committed by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.

  • Examine potential violations of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, particularly Articles 105, 356, and 357.

  • Take appropriate measures to ensure justice and prevent further abuses.

Statement:

I affirm that the information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge and is submitted in good faith in the interest of justice and accountability.

With deep respect and hope for justice,

Konstantin Romanov

Note: This appeal has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Russian legislation for official correspondence to state authorities.