Ukraine scandal: Military unit under fire for abuse allegations

The situation began with the disappearance of a soldier. On July 8, 2024, the company commander of the 211th Bridge and Pontoon Brigade noted the absence of a soldier at a permanent deployment site in the Ternopil region. After fruitless searches, officers discovered that the soldier had returned home. His mother reported that he was in poor condition, not eating, and abusing alcohol.

In the attic, a terrified, exhausted soldier was found who claimed he was threatened with death if he did not pay money to the chief of staff's son, Vladyslav Pastukh. The investigation revealed that Pastukh, a platoon commander, beat and intimidated soldiers, extorting money from them under the threat of being transferred to the infantry.

Notably, the soldiers referred to the 211th Bridge and Pontoon Brigade as "fat." This unit did not participate in active combat, significantly reducing the risk of its members being wounded or killed on the front line.

According to Ukrainska Pravda, in the spring of 2024, official inspections confirmed cases of abuse and violations of the law, including concealing instances of alcohol consumption by soldiers in exchange for bribes. Vladyslav Pastukh, the chief of staff's son, was the main perpetrator of mistreatment towards subordinates. One soldier testified that he was tied to a wooden cross and brutally beaten.

Instead of punishing those responsible, the command transferred the victims and officers involved in the investigations to other units. Vladyslav Pastukh was transferred, and his father paid compensation to the victims. Despite the evidence, the prosecutor's office and the Investigative Bureau did not initiate criminal proceedings.

The court only fined Vladyslav's father, Lieutenant Colonel Valery Pastukh, 34,000 hryvnias (approximately $930) for negligence and improper performance of duties, which allowed the violations to be concealed.

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets commented on the reports published by Ukrainska Pravda. He immediately sent letters to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Military Law and Order Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, requesting a verification of the information and an official investigation.

"Such a disgraceful phenomenon should not occur! Therefore, I am taking the matter under my personal supervision and will inform you regarding the results of the inspections," he conveyed.

The General Staff reported that by the decision of the Chief Commander of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, a commission from the Military Law and Order Service was sent to the unit.

"For the duration of the inspection, the commander of the military unit has been removed from his duties," the staff indicated.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated, "By my order, the Chief Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense will immediately begin work to verify the facts presented in the Ukrainska Pravda article regarding the situation in the 211th brigade."