SBU Major from Kherson region accused of desertion during the war

A female SBU officer from Kherson region was notified of suspicion of desertion for leaving the service without permission during the active phase of the war. She faces up to 12 years in prison if proven guilty in court.

This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations with reference to the suspicion of the Prosecutor General's Office.

According to law enforcement, after the outbreak of full-scale war in Kherson region, an urgent recruitment was announced. Nahorna was supposed to arrive either at the SBU's temporary base in Vinnytsia region or at the nearest unit, but instead disappeared and stopped contacting.

She worked as a consultant-analyst in the information department of the SSU of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, based in Kherson, and was responsible for collecting and analyzing information for national security. However, during martial law, when she was required to perform military duties, she left the service without good reason.

The suspicion states that Nagorna freely disposed of her time and did not fulfill her military duties. Such actions are classified as desertion in wartime, which is punishable under Part 4 of Article 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that she had no valid reasons for her absence: she was not on a business trip, was not on vacation or undergoing treatment, and did not inform the command of her whereabouts.

If the court proves her guilt, she faces 5 to 12 years in prison. The pre-trial investigation is currently underway.

Also, a former senior dog handler of one of the military units of the National Guard of Ukraine was notified of suspicion of treason and desertion. According to the investigation, on February 24, 2022, the staff sergeant did not report for duty and actually escaped from the military unit in Kherson. In May of the same year, he went over to the enemy and began working as a dog handler in the illegally created occupation "Dog Training Center".

Анна Бальчінос