The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claims that Lt. Col. Yevgeny Zelenov — deputy commander of the Western Military District — ordered troops to fire on civilian vehicles as they entered Kharkiv on February 24, the first full day of the invasion, CNN reports. .

lieutenant colonel Yevhen ZelenovPhoto: shot from Twitter

The SBU report states that on that day Zelenov was in charge of a Russian battalion-tactical group and “conducted active combat operations with units of the Defense Forces in the eastern direction.”

“According to the investigation, his occupation group approached the Kharkiv ring road on the outskirts of the village of Liptsi and blocked the entrance to the regional center,” the SBU continues.

“At the same time, local residents who traveled from the border towns of the region demanded to unblock traffic and resisted the occupiers.”

The SBU claims that Zelenov ordered his subordinates to open fire on cars with civilians.

According to the SBU, at least one person died and at least two were injured.

CNN has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment on the allegations. Russia has consistently denied attacking civilians during what it calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine.

While liberating Kharkiv, the Ukrainian authorities found several cars with civilians shot by the Russians.

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