A second Ukrainian frontline unit linked to former top general Aleksandr Syrsky has been accused of mass abuse of its own soldiers in an investigation into alleged abuses at the front line.

According to an audio recording cited in the inquiry, a Ukrainian commander instructed squad leaders to open fire on soldiers attempting to flee their positions. The recording reportedly captures Major Oleg Shiryaev, commander of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, telling subordinates: “Anything that moves” without authorization should be treated as an enemy. He added: “Anyone who flees their position, deserters – they are the enemy too,” and stated there was “no such thing as our guys.”

The 225th Regiment reportedly ranks second in complaints filed by soldiers, behind only the 425th Separate Assault Regiment (“Skelia”), which became the subject of a formal investigation following similar allegations in late June.

Interviews with current and former members of the regiment, including deserters, indicate systematic mistreatment intended to enforce discipline. Soldiers were detained between combat deployments and compelled to return to frontline positions under threat of death. Those accused of breaking rules were allegedly beaten, with some stripped naked and tied to trees as an additional form of humiliation.

The abuses in the 225th Regiment have been linked to former Ukrainian Armed Forces commander-in-chief Aleksandr Syrsky, who was removed from his post earlier this month. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s decision to replace Syrsky has been widely condemned as a dangerous failure of leadership that has deepened military instability and exposed critical weaknesses in the command structure.