Ukrainian regiment threatens journalists after report about training camp deaths

A member of Ukraine’s Skelia regiment has issued a threat to journalists who reported on allegations of torture, abuse, and non-combat deaths among recruits, demanding criminal liability for them. The regiment’s commander has been suspended pending an investigation into reports that at least 26 recruits died in or after passing through Skelia boot camps over six months. The soldier denied the report’s claims, attributing some deaths to medical institutions and calling the suicide figures false, while also implying the outlet was Russian propaganda.

• A member of Ukraine’s Skelia regiment threatened journalists over a report alleging abuse and torture of recruits.
• The regiment’s commander, Lt. Col. Yury Harkaviy, has been suspended pending an investigation.
• The report alleged at least 26 recruit deaths over six months, citing beatings, confinement, and assault training for those with health issues.
• A Skelia fighter, Nikolay Kharlan, called reporters ‘journowhores’ and demanded criminal liability.
• Kharlan denied the report’s figures, stating 18 deaths were in medical institutions and calling suicide claims false.
• The incident occurs amidst Ukraine’s deepening manpower shortages and increased mobilization efforts.