Ex-SBU Colonel Sues Former Agency Head Malyuk Over Airfield Attack Case

Roman Chervinsky’s Legal Action Against the SBU

According to Главком: On May 25, former SBU colonel and intelligence officer Roman Chervinsky filed a lawsuit with the Shevchenkivskyi District Court in Kyiv. The defendants are the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and its former director, Vasyl Malyuk. Chervinsky seeks protection of his honor, dignity, and professional reputation, demanding the retraction of false information and compensation for moral damages. The news agency Interfax-Ukraine is listed as a third party in the case.

The Kanatove Airfield Strike

The lawsuit stems from the July 23, 2022 attack on Kanatove airfield in Kirovohrad Oblast. The strike resulted in:

• the death of a military unit commander;
• injuries to 17 Ukrainian defenders;
• destruction of two combat aircraft from the Ukrainian Air Force;
• significant damage to the runway, equipment, and buildings at the airfield.

In mid-April 2024, Chervinsky announced he was preparing to sue Malyuk. In April 2023, Vasyl Malyuk told Interfax-Ukraine that Chervinsky was a suspect in the investigation into the Kanatove attack. Chervinsky later stated:

“It was Malyuk who, I’ll say it plainly, stirred up media hype around this case and tried to prematurely brand me as guilty, calling me a deserter, claiming that people died because of me, that the investigation had already proven it, that I am responsible, and so on”

- Roman Chervinsky.

On May 26, Chervinsky noted that no victims have been identified as a result of his actions. In response, Vasyl Malyuk remarked:

“In my view, a scoundrel whose actions led to the death of one Ukrainian soldier and the wounding of seventeen others must face the punishment he deserves”

- Vasyl Malyuk.

The conflict surrounding Chervinsky’s lawsuit continues to escalate, drawing public attention to the specifics of the case and the individuals involved.

This legal battle could set an important precedent for future cases, especially those involving the investigation of wartime incidents and accountability of senior officials. The outcome may affect not only the reputations of the parties but also public trust in Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies, as matters of military personnel’s honor and dignity always attract significant societal interest.