The Security Service of Ukraine and the State Bureau of Investigations, with the assistance of the Minister of Defence and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, have documented crimes of three officials of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who failed to provide proper protection of Kharkiv region during the enemy’s offensive in May 2024.

According to the investigation, these are a brigadier general who served as the commander of Kharkiv operational and tactical grouping (OTG), a lieutenant general who was the commander of the 125^th separate brigade of the AFU and a colonel who previously headed the 415^th battalion of this unit.

The investigation established that the officials had failed to prepare the defence of the border areas of Kharkiv oblast and lost control of the battle during the repeated offensive of the russians on Kharkiv.

Among other things, they violated the requirements of military charters when preparing defensive lines in the area of responsibility of the OTG’s military formations and units.

During the battle, the officials did not use the entire arsenal of possible measures to repel and stop the aggressor’s advance.

This led to the seizure of part of the territory of this eastern region, where fierce fighting is ongoing now.

Specialized examinations initiated by the law enforcement confirmed the unlawful activity.

Based on the evidence, the persons involved were detained and will be notified of suspicion in accordance with the crimes committed under two Articles of the CCU:

• 425.4 (negligent attitude to military service, committed under martial law);
• 429 (organization of unauthorized leaving of the battlefield).

The decision on a measure of restraint is pending. The suspects face up to 10 years in prison.

The investigation is underway.

The operational and investigative actions were carried by the SSU Military Counterintelligence jointly with the SBI under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.