The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in coordination with the Prosecutor General’s Office, has launched criminal proceedings against General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, on suspicion of committing war crimes.According to the SBU, investigators established Gerasimov’s direct involvement in planning and organizing missile and aviation strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. The charges specifically cite Thursday’s aerial attack on Kyiv and the Kyiv region.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The investigation says that military units under Gerasimov’s command conduct attacks using strategic bombers, missile-carrying ships, and ground-based operational-tactical missile systems.The strikes utilized Kh-type, Kinzhal, Kalibr, Iskander, and Zircon missiles, as well as Shahed/Geran long-range attack drones.According to the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, Russian strikes on civilian objects constitute a direct violation of Articles 51 and 52 of Additional Protocol I.Based on documented evidence, SBU investigators are conducting the investigation under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which covers violations of the laws and customs of war established by international treaties, as well as the issuance of orders to commit such actions.Who is Valery Gerasimov?Valery Gerasimov has served as the chief of the general staff of the Russian Armed Forces and first deputy minister of defense since November 2012.