Ukrainian military scandal: Abuse claims and ministry denial
Shocking details have emerged about the treatment of soldiers from the 211th Bridge-Pontoon Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Deputy Yulia Yatsyk revealed that soldiers were beaten unconscious and kept in cages. According to her, evidence regarding this matter reached investigators as early as September. However, the Ministry of Defence claims it knew nothing about it.
On Monday, journalists from Ukrainska Pravda uncovered a series of irregularities within the 211th Bridge-Pontoon Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. One of the soldiers testified that he was tied to a wooden cross and brutally beaten.
Yulia Yatsyk, a deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, stated on the "Novyny Live" programme that materials incriminating the commanders reached the investigative committee as early as 11 September. Nevertheless, they were only suspended following the article by Ukrainska Pravda.
Scandal in the Ukrainian unit
- Why is this issue only being discussed now? It's very strange to me. The victims sustained very serious injuries. The beatings were brutal, and the victims were forced to hand over money. Soldiers were required to give a certain percentage of their wages, which they had to transfer to a specific account. This was blatant extortion - the deputy mentioned.
According to the documents, soldiers were beaten unconscious. Many of them suffered damage to internal organs, fractures, and skull fractures. There were also instances of torture. The media also released a recording showing a Ukrainian soldier being abused by commanders.
A soldier from the 211th brigade is lying on the ground. His trousers and underwear are pulled down to his knees. Blood is visible on his face, abdomen, and knees. The man is not moving. The recording is too graphic to publish.
As the deputy added, soldiers were also locked in cages in the cold for refusing to cooperate with the son of the brigade's chief of staff and for refusing to carry out orders or hand over money.
- I'll say more – I can't assert that this situation is isolated because we have seen many such cases - the deputy added.
Ministry of Defence spokesperson: We knew nothing about this situation
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence spokesperson, Dmytro Lazutkin, was asked about these reports on Radio Svoboda. He stated that the Ministry of Defence had no information about irregularities in the 211th brigade.
- The Defence Minister's position is clear – he said the Ministry of Defence and the minister himself condemn these actions. According to him, the Ministry of Defence received no complaint from soldiers. The spokesperson also stated that a bill is being prepared for an ombudsman for military personnel, who will deal directly with such cases.
- He will thoroughly investigate facts and respond as quickly as possible to protect military rights - Lazutkin said.
This statement elicited a nervous response from a Radio Svoboda journalist, who reminded that the ministry had been making such assurances since 2023. - A year has passed, and the Ministry of Defence still cannot create this institution. Are you promising it again now? - she asked indignantly.
- The bill is being developed, and all necessary steps will be taken. The spokesperson replied that's the only thing I can say right now.
- So, currently, if a soldier is trapped in a cage, tied to a cross, or persecuted in another way, they don't even have anywhere to complain. Except maybe to journalists? - the journalist concluded.
After Ukrainska Pravda revealed shocking practices in the military unit, the Ombudsman, the chief commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Defence, among others, announced inspections.
