Investigation of russia's bomb strike on theater and maternity ward in Mariupol: SSU declares russian general suspect in absentia
Security Service of Ukraine
17:00, 19 August 2025
The Security Service of Ukraine has collected new evidence against lieutenant general Nikolai Gostev, commander of the 4th army of the air forces of russia's Southern military district.
According to the investigation, in March 2022 the official gave orders to launch an air strike on downtown Mariupol.
The investigation established that the ruscists deliberately targeted the maternity ward of City Hospital No. 3, residential buildings, and the regional drama theater.
The occupiers used 10 combat aircraft to carry out the strikes: Su-30SM (M2) fighters and Su-24M front-line bombers.
It has been documented that during the air attack the aggressor's combat aircraft deliberately struck the maternity ward and the drama theater with FAB-500 high-explosive bombs.
On the russian general's orders, his subordinates also bombed residential buildings in the central part of Mariupol.
Based on the evidence gathered, SSU investigators notified Gostev of suspicion in absentia under Articles 28.2 and 438.2 of the CCU (war crimes combined with intentional murder, committed by a group, upon prior conspiracy).
The investigation is ongoing to find and bring to justice all russian war criminals.
The investigation is carried out by the SSU Office in Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the procedural supervision of Donetsk Region Prosecutor's Office.
In 2023, the Security Service notified Gostev of suspicion in the case on strikes on civilian infrastructure in Mariupol.
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