MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. The Investigative Committee of Russia charged former Ukrainian Defense Minister Valery Geletey, former General Staff head Viktor Muzhenko and 20 other Ukrainian military officials with genocide in absentia, the Committee press office told TASS Friday after a meeting held by Committee head Alexander Bastrykin.

"Based on the evidence, 22 people were charged with genocide of Russian-speaking civilian population. The defendants include former Ukrainian Defense Minister Valery Geletey, former General Staff head Viktor Muzhenko and other officials from the higher command," the Committee said.

The Committee noted that, during the investigation, it is constantly analyzes a large massive of documents and other information.

"The evidence contained in these documents made it possible to expand the charges for certain suspects from among high-ranking Ukrainian servicemen involved in the death of Donbass civilians," the Committee said.