To identify the Russian commanders and military units that may have been responsible for laws-of-war violations in Mariupol that could amount to war crimes, we conducted an extensive review and analysis of Russian social media posts, obituaries of Russian personnel, Russian government and military statements, and photos and videos posted by or showing specific units present in Mariupol. We identified a total of 17 units of Russian and Russia-affiliated forces that were operating in the city in March and April 2022.

It appears that the highest levels of the Russian military command had deep knowledge of the situation in Mariupol and were closely involved in the planning, execution, and coordination of Russian and Russia-affiliated forces. We identified ten senior officials who may be responsible for war crimes in Mariupol as a matter of command responsibility. This includes President Vladimir Putin-the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Russia and head of Russia’s National Guard, who was involved in issuing direct orders on a number of occasions-as well as Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the first deputy minister of defense and chief of the general staff of the Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov.

These individuals, and potentially other commanders of the 17 units identified in Mariupol, should be investigated and appropriately prosecuted for their alleged role in serious violations committed during the Russian forces’ assault. Concerted international efforts towards accountability are crucial to demonstrate that unlawful attacks carry consequences, to deter future atrocities, and to reinforce the principle that accountability for grave crimes cannot be eluded because of rank or position.

Units on the Ground

The attack on Mariupol was carried out by a combination of military forces. Human Rights Watch identified a total of 17 units of Russian and Russia-affiliated forces that we conclude were operating in and around the city in March and April 2022. The total number may be higher. Claims that other units were operating there at that time could not be verified.

Forces involved in the battle include Russian armed forces’ units, including five from the Southern Military District; two special forces units; two units from Chechnya, including one from Russia’s national guard; seven units from the “DNR” forces’ 1st Army Corps; and Russian air forces.¹

Further research is needed to link specific violations of the laws of war to specific units or commanders.

The Southern Military District

Human Rights Watch identified elements of two major combat formations from the Southern Military District in Mariupol that are permanently part of its organization of battle: the 8th Combined Arms Army and ground force units from the Black Sea Fleet.

The 8th Combined Arms Army

Units from the 8th Combined Arms Army (8th CAA) were in Mariupol as early as March 4, 2022. Human Rights Watch identified elements of both the 150th Motorized Rifle Division’s 68th Tank Regiment and the 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment.

The 150th Motorized Rifle Division

Human Rights Watch reviewed media and verified photographs and videos that confirm the presence of regiments of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division in Mariupol.

The 68th Tank Regiment

Elements of the 68th Tank Regiment were in Mariupol as early as March 12, 2022.

The 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment

Elements of the 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment were in Mariupol as early as March 6, 2022.

The Black Sea Fleet

Units from the Black Sea Fleet’s ground forces include elements of the 810th Marine Brigade’s 382nd Marine Battalion.

The 810th Naval Infantry Brigade

Elements of the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade were in Mariupol as early as March 11, 2022. The 382nd Marine Battalion, a unit subordinated to the 810th Marine Brigade, was present in Mariupol between March and May 2022.

The 382nd Marine Battalion

The 382nd Marine Battalion was in Mariupol as early as March 14, 2022.

The “DNR’s” 1st Army Corps

Human Rights Watch also identified multiple units from the “DNR’s” 1st Army Corps, which at the time had a close operational and possibly subordinate relationship to the 8th Combined Arms Army. Units identified as belonging to the “DNR’s” 1st Army Corps include the Vostok Battalion; the 1st Separate Tank “Somalia” Battalion; the 9th Separate Marine Regiment; the 1st Separate Motor Rifle Slovyansk Brigade; the 107th Rifle Regiment; and the OBTF Kaskad.

Vostok Battalion

The Vostok Battalion was likely engaged in fighting in Mariupol as of early March 2022.

The 1st Separate Tank “Somalia” Battalion

The 1st Separate Tank “Somalia” Battalion was in Mariupol as early as March 3, 2022.

The 107th Rifle Regiment

Elements of the 107th Rifle Regiment participated in the battle for Mariupol as early as March 23, 2022.

The 9th Separate Marine Regiment

Elements of the 9th Separate Marine Regiment participated in the battle for Mariupol as early as March 9, 2022.

Operational-Combat Tactical Formation (OBTF) “Kaskad”

The OBTF Kaskad participated in the battle for Mariupol as early as February 24, 2022.

Special Operations Units

Human Rights Watch identified elements of two special operations units that report to the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GRU), including the 22nd Separate Special Purpose Brigade.

22nd Separate Special Purpose Brigade

Elements of the 22nd Separate Special Purpose Brigade participated in the battle for Mariupol as early as March 8, 2022.

346th Separate Special Purpose Brigade

Human Rights Watch identified elements of the 346th Separate Special Purpose Brigade, a special operations unit that reports to the Special Operations Command under the General Staff.

Elements of the 346th Separate Special Purpose Brigade participated in the battle for Mariupol as early as March 16, 2022.

Forces from Chechnya

The 141st Special Motorized Regiment

The 141st Special Motorized Regiment participated in the battle for Mariupol in early March 2022. Ukrainian and Russian sources, and photos and videos posted online of the 141st Special Motorized Regiment, place the unit in Mariupol.²

Special Purpose Police Regiment

Special Purpose Police Regiment participated in the battle for Mariupol as early as March 19, 2022.

The Russian military is officially headed by President Vladimir Putin.³ His second in command is Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.⁴

The General Staff

The General Staff is the primary organization in the overall command and control structure of Russia’s armed forces. Valery Gerasimov is the First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and reports to Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu.⁵

The General Staff has many sub-departments. One of them, the Main Operations Directorate, is responsible for directing the operations of the military forces and for organizing the interaction between armed forces and other federal bodies.⁶ Its head, the first deputy chief of the general staff, Sergei Rudskoy, reports directly to the chief of the general staff.⁷

A number of forces are below the general staff level, including military districts and the Northern Fleet, and Special Forces (Spetsnaz).

Military District Commands

Russian forces below the general staff level are largely organized into military districts-the Central, Southern, Eastern and Western-as well as the “Northern Fleet,” which has the status of a military district.⁸ Commanders of each military district command an array of forces, including air and naval forces within their respective districts. These commanders are appointed by Russia’s president on the recommendation of the minister of defense.⁹

Special Forces

Within the Russian armed forces, there are multiple formations of so-called special forces, or Spetsnaz units. Two main branches of special forces units are not associated with the organic structure of the VDV (Vozdushno-desantnye voyska) or military districts. One branch includes units that fall under the control of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff (still commonly referred to as the GRU); and the other includes units that fall under the control of the Special Operations Forces Command (KSSO), which also reports to the General Staff.¹⁰

The GRU falls under the Ministry of Defense and its general staff.¹¹ The KSSO reportedly operates independently of the GRU.¹² According to a Russian military analyst, special operations or Spetsnaz units are subordinate to operational commanders when deployed.¹³

National Guard

Distinct from its regular armed forces, Russia has a separate force, the National Guard, commonly referred to as Rosgvardiya. The overall head of the National Guard is President Putin who appoints the commander-in-chief of the National Guard forces.¹⁴ The commander-in-chief of the National Guard forces is Gen. Viktor Zolotov.¹⁵

National Guard District Commands

The National Guard command structure flows from Zolotov down to eight districts, each with their own commanders, and each district is further broken down into regions, which all have their own commanders.¹⁶ It is unclear what role district and regional commanders play in individual decisions made by the units that report to them.

Due to the outsized influence that the head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, has over the political and security structure in the Republic of Chechnya, the extent to which Chechen national guard forces are practically incorporated into the formal command structure set out in law is unclear.¹⁷

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