One of the Russian commanders involved in the Bucha massacre has been appointed the new head of the Russian Aerospace Forces
General Colonel Alexander Chaiko has been appointed commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces, replacing General Viktor Afzalov, who has led the force since 2023.
In 2026, the European Union imposed sanctions on Chaiko and eight other commanders for their involvement in the murders of civilians in Bucha in March 2022. Chaiko was then commanding the Eastern Military District.
According to an investigation by the Associated Press and PBS, he personally approved orders for mass killings in Ukraine.