Torture of soldiers at “Skelya”: Two suspects taken into custody

This was reported by the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR).

According to the investigation, in May 2026, two soldiers were discharged from the hospital for violating hospital rules and sent to a medical company. Suspects from the medical company decided to “punish” them on their own for the disciplinary violations.

They struck the victims numerous times, then locked them in a utility building and continued to abuse them. One of the soldiers lost consciousness. He was hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury, a broken nose, and other injuries.

The other victim was unlawfully detained for nearly another day. He was subsequently also taken to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury, numerous contusions, and hematomas.

Both suspects are charged under Part 2 of Article 127 and Part 3 of Article 406 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of military regulations and causing bodily harm to a servicemember). The penalties under these articles provide for up to 10 years of imprisonment.

As a reminder, earlier, SBI investigators, with the assistance of the military unit’s command, informed the suspects that they were under investigation for torture and violations of statutory rules governing relations among military personnel.

The scandal surrounding the military unit arose following an investigation by the publication “Babel” into the deaths of at least 26 recruits from the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelya.”

In response, the command of the “Skelya” regiment confirmed the non-combat deaths of the recruits but denied allegations of systematic torture. Representatives of the unit stated that 18 of these cases occurred in the hospital or en route to it due to chronic illnesses or the generally poor health of the conscripts. The regiment also assured that it is actively cooperating with the investigation and doing everything possible to reduce non-combat losses to zero.

The Ombudsman’s Office is continuing its investigation into the 425th Special Forces Regiment “Skelya” regarding the abuse and torture of servicemen. On July 21, based on the evidence gathered, the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) opened a criminal case and announced the first suspect.