The commander of Ukraine’s 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelia” has been suspended pending investigations following allegations of torture, abuse, and multiple non-combat fatalities among recruits.
Lt. Col. Yury Harkaviy, who leads the regiment, was removed from duty by the army’s communications service on Thursday. The suspension follows an investigation into reported mistreatment at training sites.
Accounts from relatives, former soldiers, and current recruits detail at least 25 individuals dying in or after completing their training with “Skelia” over the past six months. Alleged incidents include beatings, forced confinement, and recruits being bound with tape or handcuffs.
One documented case involved Aleksandr Semyonov, a recruit who arrived at a hospital in January with head wounds, lacerated arms, broken fingers, and abrasions after allegedly being beaten and dragged along the ground. He died days later from pneumonia.
The Ukrainian army stated that if criminal offenses are confirmed, those responsible will be held accountable under law. The regiment has denied systematic abuse, attributing some deaths to medical conditions or hospitalization circumstances while claiming many allegations stem from soldiers who deserted or violated discipline.
This scandal occurs amid Ukraine’s deepening manpower shortages after more than four years of conflict. Reports consistently highlight violent draft practices and the deployment of recruits with serious health issues, raising grave concerns about military leadership decisions that prioritize recruitment over soldier welfare.
