The SBU and the State Bureau of Investigation detained generals and a colonel who are believed to be involved in the failed defence of Kharkiv Region during the Russian offensive last year.
These are three officials: a brigadier general who was the commander of the Kharkiv operational and tactical group, a lieutenant general who commanded the 125th separate brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces, and a colonel who headed the 415th battalion of this unit. This was reported by the SBU and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
According to journalist Yuriy Butusov, these are: Colonel Dmytro Ryumshyn, former commander of the 155th mechanised brigade Anna Kyivska; Brigadier General Yuriy Galushkin, former commander of the operational and tactical department Kharkiv; Lieutenant General Artur Horbenko, former commander of the 125th Lviv brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces, and former deputy commander of the 125th brigade.
According to the investigation, due to the negligence of these officials, Russians were able to seize part of the territory of the Lypetsk community in Kharkiv district. It is also believed that the actions of the commanders led to the loss of personnel and weapons, and disrupted measures to defend the state border in their area of responsibility.
"It has been established that the brigadier general determined defence positions for the 125th separate motorised army brigade that did not correspond to its combat capabilities, and he had other units that could strengthen these positions," the SBI said.
The SBU added that the officials, as the investigation found, did not prepare the defence of the border areas and lost control of the battle during the Russian offensive in 2024.
"The defendants violated the requirements of military regulations in the preparation of defensive borders in the area of responsibility of military formations and units of the Operational Tactical Group. In addition, during the battle, the officials did not use the entire arsenal of possible measures to repel and stop the aggressor's offensive. This led to the seizure of part of the territory of the eastern region of Ukraine, where fierce fighting is currently taking place. Specialised examinations initiated by law enforcement officers confirmed the facts of the criminal activity of the defendants," the SBU said.
Based on the collected evidence, they were detained and will be served a notice of suspicion in accordance with the crimes committed under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- P. 4 of Art. 425 (negligence of military service committed under martial law)
- Art. 429 (organisation of unauthorised leaving the battlefield).
The issue of choosing a measure of restraint is currently being decided. The defendants face up to 10 years in prison.
The investigation is ongoing to bring all perpetrators to justice.
The complex operation was conducted by the SBU Military Counterintelligence jointly with the State Bureau of Investigation under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office.
Russian offensive in Kharkiv Region in May 2024
- On 10 May, the Kharkiv regional military administration reported massive shelling of Vovchansk and other border settlements. The General Staff said that at around 5 a.m., the Russian troops tried to break through the defence line.
- On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russians had launched a counter-offensive in Kharkiv Region.
- On 23 May, MP and member of the Defence Committee Roman Kostenko said that the Russia's offensive on Kharkiv had been stopped. According to him, it had two goals: to create a buffer zone and to draw defenders from other areas.
- Despite the halt in the offensive, fighting in the Kharkiv and Kupyansk sectors is still ongoing.