Explosion in the Olenivka penal colony planned and executed by the Russian Federation – conversation intercepted by SSU

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO — FRIDAY, 29 JULY 2022, 17:02

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has intercepted telephone conversations in which Russian occupiers confirm that Russian troops were responsible for the explosion in the occupied Olenivka colony, which killed at least 53 Ukrainian prisoners.

Source: SSU

Quote from SSU: "The Security Service of Ukraine intercepted telephone conversations in which the occupiers confirm that Russian troops are to blame for this tragedy. Thus, even the militants of the so-called "DPR" [self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic] do not believe the lies of Russian propaganda that the ‘shelling’ of the correctional facility institutions in Olenivka were implemented by Ukraine.

Moreover, the SSU has several such audio recordings at its disposal – all of them will be included as evidence in the relevant criminal proceedings. The Ukrainian special service has already opened the criminal proceeding under Article 438 of the Criminal Code (violation of the laws and customs of war)."

Details: According to the SSU, taking into account the conversations of the militants, the Russians could have caused the tragedy due to the explosives they placed in the premises of the colony. No eyewitnesses heard any rocket flying towards the correctional institution. There was no characteristic whistling, and the explosions occurred independently of this.

"The conversations intercepted by the SSU confirm that the Ruscists [Russian soldiers] placed their Grad systems near the correctional facility and started firing with them on the territory controlled by Ukraine. However, no shelling was observed in response – this is confirmed by the ‘DPR’ fighters themselves," the Security Service said.

The special service also added that, taking into account the videos available on the network, the windows in some rooms of the colony were completely preserved. This indicates that the epicentre of the explosion was inside the destroyed building, and its walls absorbed the blast waves, saving the neighbouring premises.

Also, a preliminary analysis of the video shows that such traces of the explosion on the walls most likely remained due to the internal source of the explosion.

"In general, there is plenty of evidence that the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not launch missile and artillery strikes in the area of ​​Olenivka. Therefore, all statements of Russian propaganda about alleged shelling by the Armed Forces of Ukraine are outright lies and provocation," the SSU emphasised.

Background:

• On the morning of 29 July, Russian media reported the shelling of the colony in Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast, where Ukrainian prisoners of war are held. Propagandists claimed that at least 53 prisoners were killed. Ukrainska Pravda sources emphasise that the strike against Ukrainians was conducted by Russia.
• Units of the Azov Regiment announced a hunt for all those involved in the mass murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Olenivka on 29 July.
• The General Staff of Ukraine reports that Russia shelled the penal colony in Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast, to cover up the torture and murders of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as well as to accuse the Armed Forces of Ukraine of committing "war crimes".

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