22 September 2026, 12:10
He struck someone after a remark about alcohol: a soldier has been charged
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PHOTO: Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Defense Matters
Two military personnel in the Kherson region have been notified that they are suspected of abuse of power or official authority for using physical violence against subordinates. According to the investigation, one of them beat a soldier after being reprimanded for drinking alcohol, while the other struck a subordinate during an inspection to ensure compliance with an order.
This was reported by the Kherson Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Defense Affairs in the Southern Region.
According to the investigation, in December 2025, a 56-year-old chief of staff—the deputy commander of an artillery division—was intoxicated at the unit’s deployment site. After a subordinate pointed out that drinking alcohol was unacceptable, the serviceman stated that he would report the matter to higher command.
The suspect then struck the subordinate in the face. According to the investigation, the assault continued even after authorized officials arrived to investigate the circumstances. The victim sustained injuries to his face and eye.
Another incident occurred in May 2026. A 29-year-old staff sergeant in a reconnaissance company was checking to see if his order to clean the premises had been carried out. Dissatisfied with the results, he, according to the investigation, punched a subordinate in the torso.
As a result, the servicemember sustained a closed chest injury with complications affecting his lungs.
Both service members are charged with abuse of authority or official powers by a military official under Part 5 of Article 426-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The penalty for this offense is up to 12 years of imprisonment.
The court ordered one of the suspects to be held in pretrial detention with the possibility of posting bail in the amount of 266,240 hryvnias, and the other to be released on his own recognizance.
The pretrial investigation is being conducted by investigators from the Melitopol Territorial Office of the State Bureau of Investigation, stationed in Kherson.
