Key facts
- Suspect Leonid Ryzhikov charged with war crimes under Ukraine's Criminal Code Article 438.
- Ryzhikov faces life imprisonment if convicted.
- Five Ukrainian service members and one civilian were allegedly killed.
- The alleged killings occurred on October 13 in Kharkiv Oblast.
- Ryzhikov had previously served eight years in prison in Russia for grievous bodily harm and theft.
A Russian soldier, Leonid Ryzhikov, has been charged with war crimes by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) for allegedly killing five unarmed Ukrainian service members and a civilian in Kharkiv Oblast on Oct. 13. Ryzhikov, 36, a Russian citizen from St. Petersburg, was reportedly mobilized into the army in late July after serving eight years in prison for grievous bodily harm and theft. According to the SBU, Ryzhikov deserted his military position on Oct. 5-6 after coming under Ukrainian fire. He is accused of shooting a civilian near Mykhailivka and then entering a house in Momotove where he allegedly shot five unarmed Ukrainian service members. Ryzhikov was arrested on Oct. 14 in Kharkiv, and the rifle allegedly used in the killings was recovered.