A Russian serviceman has been charged with using a civilian as a “human shield” during the occupation of Bucha.

On August 27, 2026, the National Police of Ukraine notified an occupier of suspicion for using a civilian as a “human shield” during the temporary occupation of Bucha.

This was reported by the Book of Executioners of the Ukrainian People.

What is known about the suspect

  • Dmytro Vitaliiovych Balashov (born September 27, 1998) is a native of Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. He is a serviceman of the russian armed forces, holding the rank of senior lieutenant.

At the time of the crime, he served in the 234th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Air Assault Division of the russian airborne forces (military unit No. 74268), where he held the position of commander of a sniper rifle platoon.

Beginning on February 24, 2022, he directly participated in the armed aggression against Ukraine, including in March 2022 in the city of Bucha, Kyiv region.

Circumstances of the crime

On March 6, 2022, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Balashov, together with two other unidentified Russian servicemen, entered the entrance of an apartment building on Yablunska Street in Bucha.

Inside the building, the Russian servicemen encountered a local resident. The man was unarmed, wearing civilian clothes, and was not participating in hostilities. Threatening him with weapons, the servicemen ordered him to approach them and searched his mobile phone.

The Russians then decided to use the man as a “human shield,” forcing him to walk ahead of them while they searched the apartments. In this way, the servicemen attempted to protect themselves from possible fire from Ukrainian forces or local residents.

Under the control of the Russian servicemen, the victim walked through the building from the first to the ninth floor. He approached apartment doors and knocked on them to determine whether anyone was inside.

Balashov and another Russian serviceman walked directly behind the man, using him as cover in case of possible fire from the apartments. Thus, they knowingly exposed the civilian to the risk of death or injury.

Suspicion

Such actions constitute a direct violation of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and Additional Protocol I, which categorically prohibit the use of “human shields” to cover military units or protect them from military operations.

Balashov is suspected of committing a criminal offense under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war).

The criminal proceedings were entered into the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations under No. 42022112320000037 dated February 27, 2022.