Ukrainian generals arrested over Kharkiv defence failures
The Ukrainian Security Service and the State Bureau of Investigation have detained the generals responsible for the unsuccessful defence of the Kharkiv region during the Russian forces' offensive in 2024.
According to the communiqué, the SBU and SBI, with support from the Minister of Defence and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, have documented the crimes of three officials of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who failed to ensure proper protection of the Kharkiv region during the enemy's offensive in May 2024.
Russians entered without any problems
We reported in May 2024 that the Russians "entered because there were no fortifications" in the Kharkiv region.
The suspects include a general who served as the commander of the operational-tactical group (OTU) "Kharkiv"; a lieutenant general who was in charge of the 125th Independent Territorial Defence Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; and a colonel who previously commanded the 415th battalion of this unit.
Investigators determined that these officials did not prepare the defence of the border areas of the Kharkiv region and lost control of the battle during the renewed Russian forces' offensive.
Among other things, the suspects violated combat regulations in preparing the defence line in the area of responsibility of OTU units and subunits.
Furthermore, during the battle, these officials did not utilise the full arsenal of available means to repel and halt the aggressor's offensive.
"This led to the occupation of part of the eastern region of Ukraine, where intense fighting is currently ongoing. Specialised expert evaluations initiated by law enforcement confirmed the facts of the suspects' criminal activities," reads the communiqué.
The military personnel have been detained and charged. They face 10 years in prison.
Allowed mass desertions
On the same day, a former commander of the 155th Brigade of the Armed Forces was detained for allowing the desertion of subordinates.
Investigators determined that while serving as the commander, the military officer "did not inform law enforcement agencies about numerous cases of unauthorized departure from the place of service by personnel,” which occurred during the unit's preparation in the territory of the European Union, as well as during the execution of combat tasks on the eastern front."
He also faces 10 years in prison.
Losses of £1.8 million
The third detention conducted by the SBI concerned one of the central departments of the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - the chief and former director of an enterprise, who caused state losses amounting to over £1.8 million during the purchase of spare parts for armoured vehicles.
According to the SBI, in 2022, the director of a private enterprise submitted a commercial offer to one of the departments of the Logistics Forces Command for the supply of necessary spare parts. Simultaneously, he deliberately inflated the price of the products and did not possess adequate experience in the production or supply of this type of assortment.
Officials in the department responsible for procurement were aware of the existence of other suppliers. Nevertheless, they did not conduct a proper verification of the company's offer or a market price analysis, acting merely formally.
The detained individuals face up to 12 years in prison and the risk of confiscation of all assets.
