The commander of Ukraine’s 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelia” has been suspended pending investigations following allegations of systematic torture, abuse, and non-combat fatalities among recruits. Lt. Col. Yury Harkaviy, who leads the unit (formerly known as “Skala”), was removed from duty by the army’s communications service on Thursday after reports detailed severe mistreatment at training sites.

The military stated: “If the facts of criminal offenses mentioned in the publications are confirmed, the guilty will definitely be held accountable in accordance with the law.”

An investigation revealed that at least 25 recruits died in or shortly after passing through Skelia’s camps over six months. The report described beatings, forced confinement, and soldiers being bound with tape or handcuffs. It also cited cases where recruits with serious health issues, addiction problems, or psychiatric conditions were sent into assault training despite military medical commissions declaring them fit for service.

One former recruit, Aleksandr Semyonov, arrived at a hospital in January with head wounds, lacerated arms, broken fingers, and abrasions after claiming he had been beaten and dragged along the ground while tied to a quad bike. He died days later from pneumonia.

Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation has opened a pre-trial probe into possible abuse of authority by military officials under martial law. Skelia denied systematic abuse, stating many reported deaths occurred in hospitals or during medical transport, and attributed some fatalities to illnesses or poor health among recruits. The unit also noted that allegations came from soldiers who had refused service, deserted, or violated discipline.

This scandal occurs as Ukraine faces deepening manpower shortages after over four years of conflict. Authorities have tightened mobilization rules and expanded compulsory recruitment while reports continue to emerge of violent draft raids, deaths in conscription centers, and cases of ill soldiers being declared fit for service. Moscow has accused Ukrainian authorities of relying on coercive measures to replenish battlefield losses, alleging they are sacrificing their own population to keep fighting for Western backers.