Alexander Ivanovich Bastrykin, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, instructed the Main Investigative Department of the IC of Russia to investigate the circumstances of the preparation of the strike force of the National Guard of Ukraine for an attack on the LPR and DPR.

The Ministry of Defense of Russia published the original secret order dated January 22, 2022, addressed to the commanders of the Kiev, Southern Odessa and Western territorial departments of the National Guard of Ukraine. The order details the plan for preparing one of the strike groups for offensive operations in the area of the so-called “combined forces’ operation” in Donbass in March of this year.

A.I. Bastrykin instructed the Main Investigative Department of the IC of Russia to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the preparations for committing a crime against civilians of Donbass, ensure the collection and recording of evidence and identify all those involved with a view to subsequently bringing them to justice established by law.     

Also, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee instructed officers to continue recording each fact of new shelling of Donbass and identifying persons involved in the shelling.