A court has ordered the arrest of suspects in the beating of fellow soldiers from the "Skela" unit
On July 30, the Fortress District Court of Kropyvnytskyi imposed pretrial measures on two servicemen from the “Skelya” regiment who are suspected of unlawfully detaining and beating their fellow soldiers. Both were remanded in custody for 60 days without the right to post bail.
First, the court considered a motion regarding a 28-year-old medical instructor from the unit’s medical company. Prosecutors requested pretrial detention, while the defense insisted on a less severe pretrial measure.
The suspect pleaded not guilty, claiming that he had been falsely accused and that the victims, according to him, were seeking revenge due to a personal conflict. He also denied the charges of torture.
The court granted the prosecution’s motion and ordered 60 days of pretrial detention without the right to bail. After the hearing, the suspect stated that he would appeal the court’s decision.
Later, the court heard the case of a 29-year-old clerk from the “Skelya” regiment. He also did not consider the charges against him to be substantiated and asked not to be detained.
However, the court issued a similar ruling—60 days of pretrial detention without the option of bail. Unlike the first suspect, the servicemember stated that he did not plan to file an appeal, as he considered it futile.
According to the State Bureau of Investigations, in May 2026, two servicemen were sent to the unit’s medical unit after being discharged from the hospital for violating regulations.
Investigators allege that the suspects decided to “punish” their comrades on their own for disciplinary violations. According to law enforcement, they struck the victims numerous times and then illegally detained them in a utility building, where they continued the abuse.
As a result of the beating, one soldier lost consciousness. He was hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury, a broken nose, and other injuries. Another, according to the investigation, was held for nearly another day, after which he was also taken to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury, contusions, and bruises.
Both soldiers have been notified that they are suspected of committing:
- Part 2 of Article 127 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—torture;
- Part 3 of Article 406 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—violation of statutory rules governing relations between military personnel, accompanied by beatings and abuse.
These articles carry penalties ranging from three to ten years of imprisonment.
Previously, the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelya” sparked widespread public outcry following journalistic reports about possible violations of servicemembers’ rights.
Following this, the command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Ground Forces announced an internal investigation, and the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) launched a separate pre-trial investigation into the disclosed facts.
The command of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelya” stated that it is cooperating with the State Bureau of Investigations and supports the investigation into possible violations. The unit noted that it does not deny the existence of certain problems and is interested in eliminating these negative phenomena.
The State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) has notified two soldiers from the “Skelya” regiment that they are suspected of torturing their comrades.
As a reminder, Lubinets stated that the investigation into the “Skelya” regiment is still ongoing, but a case has already been opened.
The State Bureau of Investigations detained a suspect in the case of violence within the Skelya Regiment.
A soldier from the Skelya Regiment was taken into custody for beating a lieutenant colonel.
