The SSU is investigating the militants of a russian private military company, captured by the SSU special purpose unit during a combat mission last week. SSU investigators have collected an exhaustive evidence base of the war crimes and atrocities committed by this group in Kharkiv region.

The SSU established that, while in Izium district, the invaders carried out so-called ‘mop-up operations’ among the local population and ‘hunted’ for ATO veterans.

Two members of the enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group are servicemen of the 16th separate special purpose brigade of the russian GRU, another two are mercenaries from a private military company.

In early September 2022, on the territory of the temporarily occupied Borova village this group abducted locals who had participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation.

According to the investigation, all the abducted men were placed in a three-meter pit and kept tied up without water or food. The russians resorted to abuse, death threats and beat their victims.

The occupiers conducted interrogations and by threats and torture tried to obtain information on other patriots in the area.

Now, the detained ruscists have been notified of suspicion of violation of laws and customs of war (Articles 28.2 and 438.1 of the CCU).

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The SSU doing everything to uncover the crimes of russian occupiers on our land and bring the involved to justice.

The SSU Office in Kharkiv Region documented the crimes under the procedural supervision of Kharkiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.