The State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) has detained a former officer from the “Skeli” unit, following reports of potential violence and abuse of power by certain personnel within the unit. While the name of the suspect has not been officially disclosed, sources indicate that it involves Junior Sergeant Yevhen Harkusha, born in 1995.
According to the investigation, the first incident occurred in May 2025 near a village in the Izium region. Soldiers from another unit were stationed nearby after completing their combat missions, leading to a conflict regarding troop and equipment placement. A military chaplain attempted to mediate the situation and suggested resolving the matter through command channels.
During this confrontation, the suspect allegedly struck the chaplain several times in the face, causing moderate injuries that required hospitalization for a concussion and a broken jaw.
The second incident took place in June 2025 in the city of Barvinkove, where the suspect reportedly attacked a colonel, who held a higher rank. The DBR stated that the junior sergeant knocked the officer to the ground and continued to inflict blows to the head and body, resulting in a broken rib for the victim.
Authorities are currently determining the appropriate pre-trial measures for the detainee, who could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
In related news, following allegations of non-combat deaths among recruits in the “Skeli” unit, journalists reported instances of potential violence and misconduct, prompting the DBR to open a criminal investigation. The investigation found evidence of at least 26 deaths of mobilized soldiers during their service. As a response, the unit’s commander, Yurii Harkavyi, was suspended from duty pending an inquiry.
On July 7, the DBR conducted searches at the home of Vyriy Industries, a drone manufacturer linked to the case, amid suspicions of inflated pricing and fraudulent contracts. That same day, new reports emerged claiming a total of 31 mobilized soldiers had died over the past six months, with the director of the DBR, Oleksii Sukachov, stating that a legal assessment of the actions of all unit leaders would be conducted.
