---
title: "Reshetilova: House Near Kyiv Attacked by Residents Housed Mariupol and Azovstal Veterans"
description: "Military Ombudsman Olha Reshetilova stated that a house in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka attacked by locals on November 2 housed fighters with Mariupol and Azovstal combat experience in addition to mobilized personnel. The SBI opened criminal proceedings, and the National Guard is conducting an internal investigation."
date: 2026-11-03T10:54:53.986Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/reshetilova-mariupol-azovstal-veterans-house-near-kyiv
tags: [ukraine-army, national-guard, military-ombudsman, kyiv, desertion, civil-military-relations, dbr]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Reshetilova: House Near Kyiv Attacked by Residents Housed Mariupol and Azovstal Veterans

![Military Ombudsman Olha Reshetilova speaks during a briefing discussing the incident near Kyiv](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/03/reshetilova-veterany-mariupoly-azovstali-dom-pod-kievom/reshetilova-veterany-mariupoly-azovstali-dom-pod-kievom-1.webp)

## Key Points

- On the evening of November 2, residents of Petropavlivska Borshchahivka attacked a house housing National Guard servicemen in its basement
- Military Ombudsman Reshetilova confirmed that fighters with Mariupol, Azovstal, and Russian captivity experience were among those detained
- The SBI opened criminal proceedings, the National Guard launched an internal audit, and Ombudsman Lubinets demanded an investigation
- Reshetilova stated that the incident undermines trust between society and the army, and the question of its restoration remains open

On the evening of November 2, in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka near Kyiv, local residents gathered near a private house and, according to social media reports, attacked the building in whose basement, it was claimed, men who had arbitrarily left military units were being held. The incident caused widespread resonance and provoked a series of official reactions: from an internal investigation in the National Guard to criminal proceedings by the SBI. Military Ombudsman Olha Reshetilova, in a statement provided to RBC-Ukraine, revealed details that significantly alter the picture of what happened: among those inside the house were not only recruits, but also fighters with years of combat experience.

### What Happened in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka

According to data appearing on social media, residents of Petropavlivska Borshchahivka surrounded a private house on the evening of November 2, in the basement of which, they claimed, servicemen who had arbitrarily left their units were being held. National Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko later confirmed that National Guard servicemen discovered after unauthorized departure from their place of service were indeed inside the house. The National Guard initiated an internal investigation into the circumstances of the incident, stating that those responsible will be held accountable based on its results.

### Reshetilova: Mariupol and Azovstal Battle Veterans Among Those Detained

Military Ombudsman Olha Reshetilova, in a commentary for RBC-Ukraine, clarified the composition of those stationed at the location. According to her, besides mobilized personnel, there were servicemen inside the house who had gone through the battles for Mariupol and Azovstal, survived Russian captivity, and returned to service. "In addition to mobilized personnel, there were servicemen who went through the battles for Mariupol, Azovstal, Russian captivity, and returned to the ranks. To defend their state, civilian population, Ukrainian children. The population, however, thanked them with spits, eggs, broken windows, and cursing teenagers," the ombudsman stated. Her words indicate that the incident affected not only raw recruits, but also experienced fighters, which intensifies the public resonance of the event.

### Investigation and Official Reactions

Reshetilova reported that the investigation will establish whether there were violations of procedures and stages of service regarding both recruits and soldiers who returned after unauthorized unit departure. Simultaneously, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets demanded an inspection of the events in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka and condemned any attacks on servicemen in the rear. The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) opened criminal proceedings over the incident. Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov called the events unacceptable, and law enforcement agencies continue to establish all circumstances of the incident.

### Trust Between Society and the Army: The Question Remains Open

The central thesis of Reshetilova's statement was an assessment of the incident's consequences for civil society. The ombudsman explicitly pointed out that what happened "undermines trust between society and the army." "Will we be able to restore trust between the military and society, which has once again been undermined by yesterday's events—that is an open question. Obviously, everyone needs to make an effort for this. Not everyone wants to do it," she summarized. These words capture a systemic problem: amid the ongoing war, episodes of aggression by civilians against servicemen in the rear create an additional gap between the army and the society it defends.

### Context and Next Steps

The incident in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka became one of the most public cases of local population clashes with servicemen in the rear zone recently. The simultaneous reaction of the National Guard, SBI, ombudsmen, and the President's Office indicates that the authorities view the event as a precedent requiring not only law enforcement but also institutional response. The outcomes of the National Guard's internal audit and the SBI criminal proceedings, as well as the results of the inspection announced by Reshetilova, will determine whether additional measures will be taken to protect servicemen and restore trusting relations between the army and civil society.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [В доме под Киевом были военные, прошедшие Мариуполь, Азовсталь и плен, - Решетилова](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/budinku-pid-kievom-buli-viyskovi-ki-proyshli-1793702161.html) - Primary source. Contains direct quotes from Reshetilova, confirmation from Pivnenko, reactions from Lubinets, Budanov, the SBI, and the National Guard. All key facts of the article correspond to the source text.

## FAQ

### What happened in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka on November 2?

On the evening of November 2, local residents gathered near a private house in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka and attacked it. According to social media, the basement of the house held men who had arbitrarily left military units. National Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko confirmed the presence of National Guard servicemen there.

### Who, according to Reshetilova, was inside the house?

Military Ombudsman Olha Reshetilova stated that besides mobilized personnel, the house contained servicemen who went through the battles for Mariupol and Azovstal, as well as those who survived Russian captivity and returned to duty.

### What measures were taken after the incident?

The National Guard launched an internal investigation, the SBI opened criminal proceedings, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets demanded an investigation, and Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov called the events unacceptable.

### What main conclusion did Reshetilova draw?

Reshetilova stated that the incident undermines trust between society and the army, and the question of restoring this trust remains open. She urged everyone to make an effort to solve it.