The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Viktor Sokolov and Sergei Kobylash: what is known about war criminals

What is known about Kobylash and Sokolov, who are wanted by the ICC/Collage 24 Channel

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on March 5 Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Viktor Sokolov and Commander of Long-Range Aviation Sergei Kobylash. The occupiers are suspected of violating the laws and customs of war.

In particular, these individuals are suspected of organizing massive shelling of energy facilities in 2022 – 2023 , as well as causing harm to civilians. What is known about Viktor Sokolov and Sergei Kobylash, who are wanted by the ICC – read the material 24 Channel.

Kobylash was born in Odessa and attacked Mariupol

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Moscow Region said that Sergei Kobylash was born in Odessa in 1965. He studied at Russian military schools and began his career as a pilot.

Before participating in the war with Ukraine, Kobilash commanded bomber missions in Chechnya, Georgia and Syria. In particular, the Russian used banned cluster and vacuum bombs during the Chechen wars. He received recognition from the Kremlin for his actions in Georgia in 2008, leading to him being awarded the rank of general and a “hero” star. In 2016, Kobylash took the position of commander of long-range aviation of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Armed Forces. It was he who led the bombing of Mariupol in 2022. In January 2023, the SBU accused Kobylash of aggressive war and encroachment on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, citing his involvement in attacks on civilian areas and critical infrastructure. Later, in November 2023, Kobylash was placed under additional suspicion due to his likely role in a rocket attack on a residential building in Uman, which resulted in the death of 23 people, including six children. The intelligence service claimed that it was he who gave the order for the attack.

Sokolov fired at Ukraine with “Caliber”

Viktor Sokolov was born in Moldova in 1962, graduated from military educational institutions in Russia. He spent most of his military career in the Pacific and Northern fleets of the aggressor country.

It was under his leadership that the Russian army launched attacks on ground targets in Syria in 2016. In 2020, he became the head of the military-scientific center of the Russian Naval Academy named after Admiral Kuznetsov.

Sokolov was officially appointed as the new commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on September 14, 2022. He has served as acting commander since August 10, 2022. The Russian replaced Igor Osipov in this post, who was removed from duty shortly after the explosions at the military airfield in Saki in occupied Crimea on August 9, 2022.

It is worth noting that the SBU reported suspicion to Sokolov in May 2023 on several counts. In particular, for violating the laws and customs of war, encroaching on territorial integrity and inviolability, as well as planning, preparing, unleashing and waging an aggressive war.

The SBU stated that with On August 10, 2022, Sokolov personally gave orders for regular launches of Caliber missiles at the Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Sokolov and Kobylasha

• The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Russian commanders Viktor Sokolov and Sergei Kobylash. The reason for this decision was the crimes committed by the occupiers from at least October 10, 2022 to at least March 9, 2023.
• The SBU noted that in order to carry out air attacks on energy facilities in Ukraine The occupiers used cruise missiles, including the Caliber type. As a result of enemy shelling, dozens of civilians were killed and injured.
• Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andrei Kostin noted that these commanders will have problems traveling around the world for many years to come. At the same time, the Prosecutor General noted that justice must be delivered on time and Ukraine should not wait until the criminals are detained.