Abuse scandal rocks Ukrainian military unit, minister unaware
Shocking details are emerging about the treatment of soldiers from the 211th Bridge-Pontoon Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Deputy Yulia Yatsyk revealed that soldiers were beaten unconscious and kept in cages. She stated that evidence in this matter reached investigators as early as September, though the Ministry of Defense claims it knew nothing about it.
5:41 PM EST, December 16, 2024
On Monday, journalists from Ukrainska Pravda uncovered a series of irregularities in the 211th Bridge-Pontoon Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. One soldier testified to being tied to a wooden cross and brutally beaten.
Yulia Yatsyk, a deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, said on the "Novyny Live" program that incriminating materials reached the investigative committee as early as September 11. Yet, the commanders were only suspended after publishing the Ukrainska Pravda article.
Scandal in the ukrainian unit
- Why is this issue only being talked about now? It's very strange to me. The victims sustained very serious injuries. The beatings were brutal, and the victims were forced to hand over money. Soldiers were required to give a certain percentage of their wages, which they had to transfer to a specific account. This was plain extortion - the deputy explained.
According to documents, soldiers were beaten unconscious. Many suffered damage to internal organs, fractures, and skull injuries. There were also instances of torture. The media released a recording showing a Ukrainian soldier being abused by commanders.
A soldier from the 211th brigade is lying on the ground. His pants and underwear are pulled down to his knees. Blood is visible on his face, abdomen, and knees. The man is not moving. The recording is too graphic to publish.
The deputy added that soldiers were also locked in cages in the cold for refusing to cooperate with the son of the brigade's chief of staff, disobeying orders, or failing to hand over money.
- I'll say more – I can't claim that this situation is isolated because we have seen many such cases - the deputy commented.
Ministry of defense spokesperson: We knew nothing about this situation
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesperson, Dmytro Lazutkin, was asked about these reports on Radio Svoboda. He stated that the Ministry had no information about irregularities in the 211th brigade.
He said that the defense minister's position is clear – the Ministry of Defense and the minister himself condemn these actions. He said the Ministry had received no complaints from soldiers. Lazutkin also noted that a bill is being prepared for an ombudsman for military personnel, who will handle such cases directly.
- He will investigate facts thoroughly and respond as quickly as possible to protect military rights - Lazutkin stated.
This statement elicited a nervous response from a Radio Svoboda journalist, who reminded me that the Ministry had been making such assurances since 2023. - A year has passed, and the Ministry of Defense still cannot create this institution. Are you promising it again now? - she questioned indignantly.
- The bill is being developed, and all necessary steps will be taken. The spokesperson replied that's the only thing I can say right now.
- So, currently, if a soldier is trapped in a cage, tied to a cross, or persecuted in another way, they don't even have anywhere to complain. Except maybe to journalists? - the journalist concluded.
After Ukrainska Pravda revealed shocking practices in the military unit, the Ombudsman, the Chief Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Defense, among others, announced inspections.
