Dispute Between Deputy and Veteran: Conflicting Accounts
A city council deputy in Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, Vitaliy Storozhuk, has publicly rejected allegations of a conflict with the late veteran, Serhiy Rusinov. Rusinov is suspected of killing four law enforcement officers in the Cherkasy region. Storozhuk insists there was never any dispute, pointing out that Rusinov publicly supported him during a budget session on December 23, 2025.
The 59-year-old Rusinov attended that session with the deputy's assistant, Volodymyr Voropai. Storozhuk, who initiated a proposal to allocate land plots for a group of veterans that included Rusinov, stressed that any claims about business conflicts or property seizures are baseless.
"The facts of the events on January 27, 2026 are the subject of a pre-trial investigation and must receive an exclusively legal assessment," the deputy stated.
The Broader Context of the Veteran and Deputy
However, Serhiy Rusinov's comrade, Yaroslav Nyshchyk—a former secretary of the Cherkasy City Council and a current Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman—asserts a conflict did exist. Nyshchyk claims there were two attempts on Storozhuk's life, including a car arson. He also alleges that Storozhuk assaulted Rusinov in an attempt to seize land the veteran was farming as a smallholder, suggesting personal and property-related motives were at play. This case highlights the tense and sometimes tragic challenges facing Ukrainian society as veterans return from the front lines.
Vitaliy Storozhuk has provided testimony, samples, and materials to investigators and has taken a polygraph test to support his account. The deceased Serhiy Rusinov and Yaroslav Nyshchyk served together during the full-scale war in the 158th and 198th battalions. During his attempted arrest, Rusinov opened fire on police officers, resulting in the deaths of four officers and wounding one other.
The situation underscores the complex dynamics between veterans and local authorities, particularly regarding social and land issues. The tragedy during Rusinov's arrest also raises serious concerns about law enforcement safety and procedures in high-risk situations. The ongoing investigation requires meticulous analysis to determine all the details and circumstances that led to the officers' deaths.
The outcome may significantly impact future relations between local deputies and veterans, as well as public perception of such violent incidents.