Two servicemen from the "Skelya" regiment were arrested on suspicion of torturing and beating their comrades

Two servicemen from the "Skelya" regiment were arrested on suspicion of torturing and beating their comrades

Two servicemen from the medical company of the "Skelya" regiment, who beat and illegally detained two fellow soldiers in Kirovohrad region, have been notified of suspicion. The Fortetsnyi District Court of Kropyvnytskyi has remanded them in custody without the right to post bail for 60 days.

The incident occurred in May 2026, when the servicemen were discharged from the hospital for "violating the established regime" and sent to the unit’s medical facility. After that, the suspects decided to "punish" them on their own for violating discipline. This was reported by the press service of the State Bureau of Investigations.

How the violence unfolded

The investigation established that the perpetrators inflicted multiple blows on the victims and then locked them in an outbuilding, where they continued the abuse. One of the servicemen lost consciousness. He was hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury, a fractured nasal bone, and other bodily injuries.

The other victim was illegally detained for nearly a day. Later, he was also taken to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury, numerous bruises, and hematomas.

Both suspects are currently detained. They have been notified of suspicion of torture and violation of statutory rules of conduct between servicemen, accompanied by beatings and abuse of several persons (Part 2 of Article 127, Part 3 of Article 406 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The articles carry penalties of up to 10 years of imprisonment. The issue of selecting a preventive measure in the form of detention is being decided.

Details from the prosecutor’s office

The specialized prosecutor’s office in the field of defence of the southern region stated that "violence against fellow soldiers has nothing to do with military discipline and cannot be justified under any circumstances." The agency also says it responds to every case of cruel treatment in the military environment and ensures that perpetrators are held accountable.

According to the prosecutor’s office, in May 2026, a 30-year-old driver-electrician and a 28-year-old medical instructor from the medical company of the "Skelya" assault regiment, outraged that two servicemen had been prematurely discharged from the medical facility for violating the regime, "decided to punish them."

The suspects inflicted multiple blows to the victims’ heads, torsos, and limbs, demonstrating their physical superiority and strength.

Preventive measure and court decision

The court imposed a preventive measure on the suspects in the form of detention for 60 days without the right to post bail.

One of the suspects — the 28-year-old medical instructor of the medical company — did not admit guilt during the hearing.

He claimed he had been slandered and that the victims, in his words, were seeking revenge. He also rejected the charges of torture and requested a preventive measure not involving detention.

The suspect stated that he would appeal the court’s decision.

The second defendant in the case — the 29-year-old clerk — also did not admit the suspicion, calling it unfounded, and asked not to be taken into custody.

The serviceman stated that he would not appeal the decision, as he considered it futile.