A significant scandal has emerged within the Ukrainian military, focusing on the 155th Mechanized Brigade, known as “Anna of Kiev,” which was trained in France. This elite unit is currently under a comprehensive investigation by military police.
Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Luchanov, the commander of the brigade, has reportedly deserted his position during the investigation and is now considered a fugitive, as stated by the General Staff. The Ukrainian army has begun referring to Luchanov as the “former” commander in announcements regarding this case.
He faces serious accusations of kidnapping and murder, along with other members of his brigade, according to The Kyiv Independent. Military officials allege that Luchanov coordinated the abduction and killing of two civilian brothers in the Kyiv region.
Charges of Premeditated Kidnapping and Murder
The officer is on the run after leaving his unit, per the General Staff’s report. Army Commander General Oleksandr Sirskyi has instructed the internal security agency and police in the Kyiv region to initiate an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged involvement of brigade members in these crimes.
The military police announced, “Following operations, the former commander of the Separate 155th Mechanized Brigade and all identified participants in the crimes have been charged with offenses related to premeditated kidnapping and murder.” Nine soldiers from the elite brigade have been detained, as reported by law enforcement sources to Hromadske.
Residents in the area where the two brothers were kidnapped claimed that the incident originated from a complaint made by the commander’s new wife about the noise from motorcycles disturbing their young child.
Details from Investigation Sources
According to the cited source, a group of seven individuals entered a courtyard in the Kyiv region on the night of June 27-28. They subsequently abducted the two brothers, who were later taken to the Poltava region and killed, as stated by law enforcement sources to Ukrainska Pravda.
All military personnel involved in the incident have been suspended from their official duties, according to the General Staff. “If the investigation proves culpability, those responsible will be held accountable for each committed crime, regardless of their position or past merits,” the General Staff stated.
General Sirskyi will implement measures to prevent similar incidents, according to military police. Due to the severity of the alleged crimes, the head of the Ukrainian army has enhanced a control system aimed to prevent military discipline violations, abuse of official authority, and any unlawful actions by military personnel.
New Investigation Amidst Ongoing Controversies
This latest inquiry comes just weeks after the commander of Ukraine’s 425th Independent Assault Regiment, known as Skelia, was suspended amid an investigation into alleged abuses that reportedly led to 26 deaths outside combat within the regiment.
With more than four years since the onset of the large-scale war, increasing reports have surfaced regarding alleged abuses and misconduct within the Ukrainian Army, as noted by The Kyiv Independent.
The 155th Mechanized Brigade has previously been embroiled in scandals, with accusations regarding poor leadership and internal issues, including mass desertions, leading to both investigations and the arrest of former commander Dmitro Riumshin.
Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Luchanov took command of the 155th Brigade in February 2026. He previously served as the chief of staff of the Skelia unit, which is currently under investigation for abuses. In May, a video surfaced on social media showing a fighter from the 155th Brigade beating another soldier, who was bound and lying on the ground, as reported by Hromadske. Luchanov denied his involvement and condemned the act of violence.
