MOSCOW, July 2 (RAPSI) – The number of aggrieved persons under the criminal case opened in Russia on the developments in Ukraine has reached 2,700, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told journalists on Wednesday.

“We have questioned over 4,000 people and have categorized 2,700 of them as victims under this case,” he said. “Their testimony has confirmed the investigators’ theory that [Dnipropetrovsk Governor Ihor] Kolomoisky, [Interior Minister Arsen] Avakov, [Aydar battalion commander Serhiy] Melnichuk, as well as the Ukrainian military, the armed groups of the Ukrainian National Guard and the Right Sector militants were involved in these crimes,” Markin said.

As of Wednesday, the Basmanny District Court issued a warrant for the arrest in absentia of Kolomoisky, who is believed to be financing the Kiev government’s punitive operation in southeastern Ukraine.

Markin said the Investigative Committee would instruct law enforcement agencies “to determine the whereabouts of the defendant so as take him into custody without delay.”

The committee earlier opened a criminal case against Avakov and Kolomoisky under Russian articles on “the masterminding of murder, the use of prohibited methods and means of warfare, abduction, and the hindering of the legitimate activities of journalists.”

Both officials have been placed on the international wanted list.

The Investigative Committee will likely ask the court for an arrest warrant for Avakov soon.