Lviv Court Orders 60-Day Detention for AWOL Soldier Accused of Assaulting Police Officers

Pretrial Measure for Oleh Havrylov

According to Главком: On July 10, the Sykhiv District Court in Lviv imposed a pretrial detention order on Oleh Havrylov, a 23-year-old soldier from military unit A0536, who is suspected of attacking police officers during a confrontation with staff from the local Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (TRC) on Chervonoi Kalyny Avenue. He will be held in custody for 60 days without the possibility of bail, with the detention period set to end on September 6, 2026.

The incident unfolded on the evening of July 8, involving soldiers from the Sykhiv District TRC, police officers, and approximately 200 civilians. During the altercation, a group of individuals blocked, damaged, and overturned an official military vehicle. One participant assaulted the deputy head of the district police department, causing bodily harm. Havrylov is now charged with hooliganism and intentionally inflicting minor injuries on two police officers.

Reactions to the Confrontation

Following the clash, the participants issued a video apology and pledged to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the conflict, stating:

“In my view, this is a very bad situation. And the attitude toward people in military uniforms is very poor-this should not happen. Minister Klymenko briefed me on some details today; the Ministry of Internal Affairs will investigate this under current legislation, and the Ministry of Defense must deliver on all its promises.”

Additionally, the Ministry of Defense emphasized that only the enemy benefits from such incidents. Military Ombudsman Olha Reshetylova highlighted the responsibility of the government, military-political leadership, and local authorities for these events. This case serves as a critical signal of the need to improve military-civilian relations and foster greater respect for those in uniform.

The conflict in Lviv underscores the importance of interaction between military personnel and civilians, as similar incidents can negatively impact public and military morale. The president’s remarks and the Defense Ministry’s response reflect the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need for measures to prevent future occurrences. It may also drive improvements in communication and cooperation among institutions involved in defense and security.

The recent altercation in Lviv has drawn significant attention, prompting reactions from various officials, including President Zelenskyy, who labeled the incident as 'very bad'. This highlights the broader implications of such conflicts and the urgent need for addressing the relationship between military personnel and civilians, especially in the current climate of national defense.