The SBU has identified around a hundred people who took part in the clashes in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka. The SBU later уточнили, that it concerns more than a hundred people. Searches are currently under way, and decisions are being made on detentions and serving notices of suspicion.
Suspilne reported this, citing an Interior Ministry briefing. The SBU press service later confirmed the information.
The Security Service has also opened three criminal proceedings under articles on obstructing the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, disseminating information about the location of the Defence Forces, and mass riots. A woman who presented herself as a medic and an ambulance driver were detained.
According to Ivan Rudnytskyi, Deputy Head of the Security Service, the organisers planned the action in advance in order to use a National Guard serviceman and create public resonance.
Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi said that one of the participants intended to fraudulently remove a man from a military unit who was absent without leave. According to the minister, her husband also left his unit without authorisation, and the woman was hiding him at home.
Update. The SBU said that the situation in the city of Kyiv and the region is currently under control and calm. Additional information will be provided after investigative actions, searches and the announced suspicions are completed.
As the Deputy Head of the SBU noted, a criminal case has been opened over yesterday’s events under Article 114-1 (obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces), Article 114-2 (unauthorised dissemination of information about the movement or deployment of the Defence Forces of Ukraine), as well as Article 294 (mass riots) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
In addition, investigators from the State Bureau of Investigation are examining a separate case under Part 5 of Article 426-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of power or official authority by a military official).
What Happened
- In the village of Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, unrest broke out near a building where servicemen of a unit of the National Guard of Ukraine were staying. Law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, and later NGU Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko came. The building housed mobilised men and servicemen who had returned after being absent without leave. Four of them had injuries and it was decided to take them to hospital for examination. Speaking to journalists, the men in the building said that no violence had been used against them.
- This was preceded by a call to the police from staff of a private emergency medical service, who reported that they were being obstructed from accessing a citizen. Upon arrival, police established that the incident was taking place near a private house where servicemen from one of the National Guard units were staying.
- Civilians began gathering outside the building, demanding that the mobilised servicemen on the premises be handed over to them. After being refused, they attempted to enter without authorisation.
- The 1st Corps of the NGU, “Azov”, commented on the events in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka. The command condemned the unlawful actions against NGU servicemen, while also warning citizens against obstructing the work of military units.
- The Head of the President’s Office, Kyrylo Budanov, arrived at the scene of the clashes in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka and said there were 14 people in the building. He called the situation unacceptable, in particular because it hindered the hospitalisation of those in need of medical assistance. He said that the very next day they should выяснить why such facilities are operating and what is happening inside.
- The State Bureau of Investigation opened a criminal case over the clashes. Investigators are checking possible abuse of authority by military officials, the legality of National Guard servicemen being in the house, and reports of possible coercion against them. They are also to establish the circumstances of the conflict and provide a legal assessment of the actions of all participants.
- Military Ombudswoman Olha Reshetylova said that among the servicemen at the deployment point were defenders of Mariupol and “Azovstal” who had been held in Russian captivity and returned to service. She stressed that the inspection must determine whether the rights of servicemen were respected, including those who returned after being absent without leave, as well as new recruits.
- At the same time, the NGU corps “Khartiia” said Russia was trying to use such conflicts to discredit the military and split Ukrainian society.
- Budanov said there was evidence of outside influence on these events. According to him, the incident shows signs of an attempt to divide Ukrainian society and set the military against the civilian population.