Near the Skeli Collective Farm in 2025, a car carrying foreign Sky News journalists was shot at point-blank range
Azad Safarov, chief producer for the British television network Sky News in Ukraine and a documentary filmmaker, reported on an armed incident involving servicemen from the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelya,” which took place in March 2025 near Dobropillya.
The journalist shared details of the incident on his Facebook page amid the current public outcry surrounding this unit. According to Safarov, during an official filming session, the female driver of the film crew was left waiting in the car near the command and observation post because the press officer went into the bunker alone and did not invite her to take cover.
Around 11:30 p.m., an unidentified soldier approached the car and fired 12 bullets at point-blank range toward the driver’s seat. The woman was unharmed only because the foreign reporters’ vehicle was armored. After the shooting, another soldier ordered the driver to leave the position immediately while collecting the spent shell casings. Despite promises by the lieutenant colonel—the regiment commander—to conduct an internal investigation, as well as official inquiries from the media to the press center of the operational command and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the journalists have received no response or results of the investigation in over a year. The producer added that Sky News had deliberately chosen not to stir up an international scandal at the time so as not to harm Ukraine’s image during the war; however, in light of new investigations into the situation within the unit, he decided to break his silence.
Source: Safarov’s Facebook page.
Previously, the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelya” denied allegations of beating conscripts who later died, stating that the causes of death were primarily related to underlying medical conditions or accidents. The unit emphasizes that it is cooperating with the investigation and wants a full investigation into every case, without exception.
In March, at least five recruits from the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelya” died less than two weeks after being mobilized. According to official data as of May 19, the causes of death were heart and lung diseases.
The 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelya” responded to media reports about the deaths of recruits while on duty. The unit stated that it is ready to cooperate with law enforcement and urged people not to jump to conclusions. Military officials emphasize that each case must be investigated separately.
