The Pechersk District Court of Kyiv has decided to detain a serviceman of the 'Skelya' regiment, suspected of committing brutal physical violence against his fellow soldiers. The suspect will be held in a pre-trial detention center until September 7, 2026, without the right to post bail. This decision is a response to a series of incidents that occurred in the Kharkiv region in 2025.
Two episodes of violence in the combat zone
The investigation established two specific episodes of force used by the detainee. The first incident occurred in May near a village in the Izium district. A conflict arose between units regarding the placement of personnel and equipment. A military chaplain, who attempted to resolve the dispute and propose a solution through the command, became the victim of an attack. The suspect struck him several times in the face with his fist. As a result, the victim was hospitalized with diagnoses of 'concussion' and 'fractured jaw'.
The second case occurred in June in the city of Barvinkove. This time, the aggression was directed against a senior officer—a lieutenant colonel. The serviceman knocked him down and began beating him with his hands and feet on the head and torso. The officer suffered a rib fracture.
Criminal liability and continuation of the investigation
The detainee is charged with violating the rules of interaction prescribed by the regulations and violence against a superior officer under martial law. In total, he faces up to 10 years in prison. The pre-trial investigation is continuing under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) stated that the investigators' work is not limited to these facts. Law enforcement officers continue to investigate other possible episodes of physical violence, unlawful restriction of freedom, threats with weapons, as well as improper treatment and failure to provide medical assistance to servicemen at the distribution and training centers of the 'Skelya' regiment.
Context of the major scandal surrounding the regiment
This case is being considered against the backdrop of a major public scandal that erupted around the 425th Separate Assault Regiment 'Skelya'. At the end of June, journalists published an investigation reporting on possible torture of recruits and systematic violations of the rights of mobilized individuals. According to media reports, at least 25 people died in the regiment's training centers over six months.
After this information was made public, the DSB opened a criminal case, and the commander of the unit was suspended from his duties. Currently, law enforcement officers are not only checking the activities of the training center leadership but also investigating individual cases of non-regulation relations within the units, identifying specific perpetrators of crimes.
