The SBI detained generals whose inaction led to the seizure of part of Kharkiv region in 2024

The employees of the SBI, in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine and with the assistance of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, as well as the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, have detained former commanders: two generals and a colonel due to whose negligence the enemy was able to occupy part of the territory of the Kharkiv region in May 2024.

The former commanders of the operational-tactical group "Kharkiv," the 125th separate brigade of territorial defense and the 415th separate rifle battalion of the 23rd separate mechanized brigade because of their negligent attitude to military service allowed the russian federation troops to occupy part of the territory of the Lipetsk rural territorial community of the Kharkov region. Also, the actions of the commanders led to the loss of personnel and weapons, disrupted measures for the defense of the state border in area of their responsibility.

It was established that the brigadier general determined the defense positions for 125th separate brigade of territorial defense, which did not meet its combat capabilities, in addition, he had other units that could have strengthened these positions. The commander also made a number of other mistakes, as well as not fully specifying the direction of the enemy`s main attacks, and did not sufficiently control the organization of preparation and conduct of defensive operations. He did not make a timely maneuver by the forces and means of the group, did not organize the support of the brigade units by artillery and air forces.

The Former Commander of the 125th separate brigade of territorial defense, Lieutenant General, also underestimated the enemy's ability to resume the offensive in the area of defense of the brigade and reacted inadequately to the enemy's building up combat potentials and threats. In particular, he did not ensure the arrangement of combat guard positions, did not take measures to the manning of the brigade, determined overestimated combat missions to the battalions and, without conducting tactical calculations, did not organize the proper equipment of strongholds, engineering barriers, etc.

In addition, the Former Commander of the 125th separate brigade of territorial defense, having information about the preparation of the enemy's offensive actions, did not bring it to his subordinates, did not ensure maximum mobilization and the presence of all the personnel of the brigade, including officers on their positions. During the battle, he did not organize proper fire support for the brigade units with artillery; did not ensure the effective use of brigade reserves, the interaction of the brigade with other units and did not know the actual situation on the battlefield.

The Former Commander of the 415 separate rifle battalion of the 23rd separate mechanized brigade did not organize a defensive battle in the settlements of Strilecha, Krasny Liptsy and Slobozhanske, which were in the battalion line of defense, did not determine which objects should have been included in the strongholds and how to prepare them for protection, as well as ways to counteract the enemy's underground mine struggle, places of equipment of storage facilities and warehouses.

During the reflection of the enemy's offensive, he did not report to the senior commander about the results of the defensive battle, did not take measures to stop the unauthorized withdrawal of 12 soldiers of the battalion and gave his combat order without the order of the senior commander. Also, the Former Commander of the 415 separate rifle battalion of the 23rd separate mechanized brigade ignored and did not comply with the order of the brigade commander to restore the lost positions.

Due to these violations, the enemy, by developing its success, seized the positions of units of the first and second echelon of battalions, which led to the loss of personnel, penetration by the enemies into the defense line at a distance of up to 10 km in depth and the loss of control over part of the territory along the state border of Ukraine.

After the detainees are brought to Kyiv, they will be served notifications of suspicion of negligent attitude of a military official to service committed under martial law, which entailed grave consequences (Part 4 of Article 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The Former Commander of the 415 separate rifle battalion of the 23rd separate mechanized brigade will be additionally served notification of suspicion of unauthorized abandonment of the battlefield (Article 429 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanction of the Articles provides for imprisonment for of up to 10 years.

It is planned to appeal to the court with a petition for election for the suspects preventive measure in the form of detention.

Procedural guidance is provided by the Office of the Prosecutor General.