Abuse of soldiers in Ukraine army’s 211th Brigade can be qualified as torture - Ukrainian Helsinki Union

Oleksandr Pavlichenko, the executive director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Union, the largest association of human rights organizations in Ukraine, stated this on the air of the Espreso TV channel.

"It is important to confirm this qualification and take into account all factors: the conditions, frequency, and number of people who suffered from such treatment. The situation requires a systemic solution to prevent the recurrence of such cases," he said.

Pavlichenko explained why cases related to abuse of soldiers still occur.

"Firstly, this is due to the presence of people with addictions in the Armed Forces, such as alcohol or drug addiction. Secondly, effective independent control is necessary. Currently, journalists are the most independent control. Inside the army, everyone depends on each other, and it is difficult to talk about independence. The creation of the institution of a military ombudsman is necessary. Currently, projects are being prepared to write certain regulatory acts. But time will tell how effective it will be. Law enforcement agencies should conduct investigations, and we will monitor how the State Bureau of Investigation conducts it, "he said.

The Ukrainian army began its formation back in the Soviet army, where the so-called "hazing" was a very common phenomenon. Ill-treatment was encouraged by officers, and we can still see their consequences.

The problem is that a person who is subjected to mistreatment or abuse by a commander, according to the protocol, must contact the higher command, which actually covered up these crimes. Pavlichenko told what a person who is subjected to abuse in the army should do.

"It is necessary to file a statement with law enforcement agencies and enter a report about the crime into the register of pre-trial investigations. But this can only be done by a person outside the military unit, since it depends on the commanders. The army imposes restrictions that make it difficult to identify such cases. There are even cases that are considered suicides, but there are doubts that it was suicide. These cases should also be investigated," he noted.

Abuse of soldiers in 211th Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces

On Monday, December 16, Ukrainska Pravda published a material based on the facts received from the soldiers of the 211th Brigade about bullying of the military, nepotism, extortion of funds and other violations.

According to the publication, the brigade leadership demanded money from the military, threatening them with transfer to the infantry, or used physical force against those who did not pay.

In particular, Vladyslav Pastukh, who for a long time held the position of commander in the first battalion of the brigade, threatened the soldiers that "his father is the chief of staff, and his godson is the brigade commander, who can transfer the soldiers to the infantry, where they will immediately be used as cannon fodder".

After the publication of the materials, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reacted to the situation. In accordance with the decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, a commission of the Military Law Enforcement Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be sent to the 211th Brigade.

On December 17, the Prosecutor General's Office reported that law enforcement officers have initiated criminal proceedings against officials of the 211th Brigade.