KIEV, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Kiev on Monday accused the Russian military of being behind the deadly rocket attack on the frontline city of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine in January 2015.
"During the pre-trial investigation, our investigators have established and proved that this terrorist act was committed by regular Russian military personnel," Vasyl Grytsak, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was quoted as saying by its press service.
SBU investigators say they have established the involvement of eleven Russian troops in the attack, according to the statement.
The findings of the investigation will be handed over to the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the statement said.
Russian authorities have not yet commented on the accusations.
Mariupol, a strategic port city on the Azov Sea, which lies near the line separating Ukrainian government troops and pro-independence insurgents in eastern Ukraine, came under rocket fire on Jan. 24, 2015.
The rockets hit an open-air market and nearby homes and shops, killing 29 civilians and wounding 92 others.
The conflict in Ukraine's eastern region of Donbas started in April 2014 after government forces launched offensives to regain control of the cities and towns seized by armed groups which had declared independence from Kiev.
Mariupol has been under the control of the government forces since June 2014.
