Deserters Apprehended in Zhytomyr Oblast
Police in Zhytomyr Oblast have detained two army deserters suspected of a double murder in Kharkiv Oblast. The arrests took place on March 8 in the city of Korosten. The suspects are a 38-year-old resident of Korosten and a 26-year-old resident of Dnipro. Both men had abandoned their military unit in early January, taking their weapons with them.
During the arrests, law enforcement officers seized an assault rifle, a carbine, and 174 rounds of ammunition. The weapons and ammunition have been sent for forensic examination. The detainees have been formally charged under Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for the illegal handling of weapons. A court has ordered them to be held in custody as a preventive measure.
Criminal Records of the Detainees
Both suspects have prior criminal records and have previously faced charges for:
- robbery
- property crimes
- drug offenses
One of the detainees had previously been convicted for attempted murder. Furthermore, they have been linked to a double homicide in Kharkiv Oblast, where the bodies of two men with signs of violent death were found in an outbuilding. One of the victims, the property owner, had been reported missing since January. The other victim was a serviceman of the National Guard of Ukraine who had also deserted his unit.
On March 26, investigators formally notified the detainees of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for premeditated murder. The sanctions under this article provide for a punishment of up to 15 years or life imprisonment.
As stated by the Main Directorate of the National Police in Zhytomyr Oblast: 'Police officers located the men in the city of Korosten. They had deserted their military unit in early January with weapons in hand. On March 8, police carried out their detention. An assault rifle, a carbine, and ammunition for them were seized from the suspects' places of residence.'
This case highlights the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces with desertion and criminal activity among military personnel during the ongoing conflict. The apprehension of suspects with significant criminal histories underscores the severe public safety risks posed by deserters armed with military weapons. Such incidents place an additional strain on law enforcement resources during wartime.
The recent arrests in Kharkiv Oblast highlight a troubling trend of violent crimes linked to individuals with military backgrounds. In a similar incident, two men were apprehended in the Kyiv region for assaulting a victim over a phone dispute. Such cases raise concerns about the potential for escalating violence among those who have deserted their military duties. To learn more about this alarming situation, read about the assault case in Kyiv.