On October 13, 2026, a Russian soldier Leonid Rizhikov committed a horrific crime in a village near Kharkiv, killing five Ukrainian soldiers and one civilian. The Security Service of Ukraine has already charged him in connection with this case.
Circumstances of the Murder
Rizhikov, who serves in the 1009th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 68th Division of the Russian Armed Forces, was ordered to storm Ukrainian positions in the area of Starytsia. After engaging in combat, his partner surrendered, while Rizhikov decided to continue on his own. He managed to bypass the positions of the 72nd Brigade and traveled at least 25 km deep into the rear of Ukrainian forces.
Details of the Crime
Rizhikov, lacking any special military training, is a former inmate who was coerced into signing a contract while serving time in a Russian prison. On October 13, he encountered a 60-year-old local resident fishing by a pond in the territory of Lypetska Hromada, whom he killed. He then proceeded to Mykhailivka, where he entered a house without resistance, where five soldiers of the 72nd Brigade were resting. Rizhikov shot four of them on the first floor and the fifth on the stairs.
Response and Search Operations
Following the murders, the command of the "Khartia" corps initiated an active search operation. Roads were blocked, checkpoints and patrols were established, and drones were deployed. As a result, operators of the 72nd Brigade spotted a suspicious individual moving towards Kharkiv rather than the front lines, raising suspicions.