Military Personnel from the 'Skelya' Regiment Detained by State Bureau of Investigation for Assaulting Fellow Soldiers

State Bureau of Investigation Launches Probe

According to Главком: The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has announced initial findings from its inquiry into the 425th Separate Assault Regiment 'Skelya.' As part of this investigation, a soldier from the regiment has been arrested on suspicion of beating two colleagues. Authorities are examining two separate incidents that took place in May and June 2025, involving violations under Articles 405 and 406 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Details of the Incidents

The first assault occurred in May 2025 near a village in the Izium district of Kharkiv Oblast. The conflict arose over the positioning of personnel and equipment. A military chaplain attempted to mediate the dispute but was struck multiple times in the face by the suspect, resulting in a concussion and a fractured jaw that required hospitalization. The second episode unfolded in June 2025 in Barvinkove, where a junior sergeant attacked a lieutenant colonel. The suspect knocked the officer to the ground and proceeded to punch and kick him in the head and torso, causing a broken rib.

The suspect has been formally charged under Part 2 of Article 406 and Part 4 of Article 405 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison. Authorities are now considering pretrial detention. SBI investigators are actively looking into additional possible instances of physical violence, unlawful restraint, threats with weapons, mistreatment, and failure to provide medical care to soldiers at the regiment’s distribution and training sites.

The scandal gained widespread attention following an investigation by the publication Babel, which reported the deaths of 26 recruits within the unit between late 2025 and spring 2026. Most of the deceased had been with the regiment for less than a month, and pneumonia was officially listed as the cause of death. In response, the regiment’s commander, Yuriy Harkavyi, was suspended from duty pending an internal review. Military Ombudsperson Olha Reshetylova received complaints about beatings and abuse in the 'Skelya' regiment during May and June 2025, and during an inspection at a training ground, 22 soldiers confirmed instances of violence. A group of instructors is now under suspicion for systematic violations of service members' rights.

'The SBI will promptly verify all published facts, provide a legal assessment of every commander's actions, and ensure a comprehensive and complete investigation.' Oleksii Sukhachov

Investigators report that 'the suspect knocked the officer to the ground, then began striking him with fists and feet to the head and torso, breaking the victim's rib.' Meanwhile, 'investigators continue active work to verify other possible facts of physical violence, unlawful restriction of liberty, threats with weapons, improper treatment, and failure to provide medical care to military personnel in the distribution and training locations of the 'Skelya' regiment.'

The SBI’s findings regarding the 425th Separate Assault Regiment 'Skelya' highlight the gravity of the situation within the military structure, where physical violence has become a subject of criminal prosecution. These incidents call into question not only moral and ethical standards but also the overall safety of service members-a critical concern during wartime. It is essential that relevant authorities ensure a proper investigation and take steps to prevent such occurrences in the future.

The ongoing investigation into the 'Skelya' regiment has raised serious concerns about the command structure and overall safety within the unit. This scrutiny follows alarming reports of multiple fatalities among recruits, which have led to significant disciplinary actions, including the suspension of key leadership figures. For more details on the troubling circumstances surrounding these deaths, you can read about the suspension of the regiment's commander.