The Russian colonel, who commanded the shooting from the Grads bus near Volnovakha, was allowed to be tried in absentia

The Ukrainian court authorized a special (in absentia) investigation in respect of the staff member of the headquarters of the Central Military District of Russia, Colonel of the Russian Army Anatoliy Sinelnikov on suspicion of organizing an artillery shelling of a passenger bus at the checkpoint in Volnovakha, Donetsk oblast in January 2015. This is stated in the court's decision, - Ukrainski Novyny informs.

It is indicated that in July, the Security Service of Ukraine filed a petition to the court for an investigation in absentia in respect of Sinelnikov.

During the pre-trial investigation, it was established that he served as commander of the 28th Independent Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (Yekaterinburg) from 2008 to 2010.

After retiring from military service, from February 2011 to October 2014, he served as military commissar of the Penza region (Russia).

In November 2014, Sinelnikov got back to military service and was transferred to the Southern Military District of the Russian Defense Ministry.

Then, executing the order of his leadership, he secretly arrived in the occupied territory of the Donetsk oblast, received the call sign "Zakhar" and was appointed "commander-curator" of the 5th separate motorized rifle brigade of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic".

On January 13, 2015, the Russian colonel ordered the artillery bombardment of the checkpoint near Volnovakha to intimidate the population and provoke a military conflict.

His subordinates simultaneously launched 88 unguided 120-mm high-explosive fragmentation projectiles at a checkpoint. One of the shells damaged the shuttle bus. 12 civilians were killed and 19 were injured.

On July 18, 2015, Sinelnikov was granted a vacation, during which he returned to the territory of the Russian Federation.

After the vacation, he was appointed to a leading position in the headquarters of the Central Military District of the Russian Armed Forces.

On February 27, 2017, Ukrainian law enforcers informed him of suspicion in absentia.

The Russian colonel was put on the international wanted list.

The court fully satisfied the petition and permitted a trial in absentia in respect of Sinelnikov.