---
title: "Soldiers of 72nd OMBR Shot Dead Near Kharkiv: Attacker Might Be Escaped Russian POW"
description: "Five fighters of the 72nd OMBR were shot dead in the Kharkiv region on October 13. Investigators are checking the version of an escaped Russian POW."
date: 2026-10-14T11:10:01.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/soldiers-72nd-ombr-shot-dead-near-kharkiv
tags: [kharkiv, ukraine-war, 72-ombr, shooting, investigation]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Soldiers of 72nd OMBR Shot Dead Near Kharkiv: Attacker Might Be Escaped Russian POW

![Aftermath of the shooting of AFU servicemen in the Kharkiv region](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/14/pod-harkovom-rasstrelyali-boicov-72-ombr/pod-harkovom-rasstrelyali-boicov-72-ombr-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Five servicemen of the 72nd OMBR were shot dead in the Kharkiv district.
- The tragedy occurred on October 13 inside a residential building.
- Investigators are checking whether the attacker was an escaped Russian prisoner or a sabotage group.
- The Prosecutor General's Office launched a pre-trial investigation into premeditated murder.

A tragic incident has shaken the Kharkiv region, where a mass killing of Armed Forces of Ukraine servicemen took place on October 13. As a result of the attack in a residential building, five fighters of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were killed. Official agencies, including the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, confirmed the launch of a large-scale investigation into the premeditated murder of two or more persons.

### Chronology and Details of the Tragedy

The crime was committed on the afternoon of October 13 in the Kharkiv district. An unidentified attacker opened fire on Ukrainian servicemen who were inside a residential premises. The injuries proved fatal, and all five soldiers died on the spot before medics arrived. Law enforcement agencies immediately deployed operational groups to search for and detain the shooter.

### Contradictory Data

While the Ukrainian prosecutor's office officially states that it is checking the version of the attacker's possible involvement in a sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Russian Armed Forces, independent sources report alternative information. Specifically, BBC reports that the shooter might have been a Russian serviceman who recently escaped from captivity. The official investigation is refraining from final conclusions until the completion of comprehensive search operations.

### Government Reaction and Next Steps

On October 14, under the procedural guidance of the Kharkiv District Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation was officially launched under paragraph 1 of part 2 of article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Forensic experts continue to work at the scene, gathering all necessary evidence. This emergency once again highlights the colossal security risks in frontline regions.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Под Харьковом расстреляли бойцов 72 ОМБр: нападающим мог быть россиянин, сбежавший из плена](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/pid-harkovom-rozstrilyali-biytsiv-72-ombr-1791975780.html) - Официальная информация от Офиса генпрокурора Украины и 72-й бригады о гибели пяти бойцов 13 октября в Харьковском районе.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Where and when did the attack on Ukrainian soldiers happen?
**A:** The attack occurred on October 13 in the Kharkiv district inside a residential building.

### Q: How many fighters died as a result of the shooting?
**A:** Five servicemen of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade were killed.

### Q: Who could have committed this crime?
**A:** The investigation is checking several versions, including a Russian saboteur group or an escaped Russian POW.