The SBU and the State Bureau of Investigation have detained generals responsible for the unsuccessful defense of Kharkiv region during the offensive of the occupiers in 2024. They face up to 10 years in prison.
This was reported by the SBU press service on January 20.
Fortification structures: how the construction process is organizedThe infographic outlines who makes decisions about building fortification structures and who is responsible for the process. According to the case materials, the defendants include a brigadier general who held the position of commander of the operational-tactical grouping (OTU) "Kharkiv," a lieutenant general, the former commander of the 125th separate territorial defense brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a colonel who previously led the 415th battalion.
The SBU does not disclose the names of the military personnel, but according to sources from UP, they include Brigadier General Yuriy Halushkin, Lieutenant General Arthur Horbenko, and Colonel Ilya Lapin.
The investigation established that the three military officials failed to prepare the defense of the border areas of Kharkiv region and lost control of the battle during the renewed Russian offensive on the regional center.
“Among other things, the defendants violated the requirements of combat regulations during the preparation of defensive lines in the area of responsibility of military units and divisions of the OTU. Additionally, during the battle, the officials did not utilize the full arsenal of possible measures to repel and halt the aggressor's advance,” the statement said.
The SBU reminded that such actions led to the capture of part of the territory of Kharkiv region. Expert examinations have been conducted, confirming the facts of the defendants' criminal activities. The generals have been detained. They have been informed of the suspicion in accordance with the committed crimes under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- part 4 of article 425 (negligence in military service committed under martial law);
- article 429 (organization of unauthorized withdrawal from the battlefield).
The issue of selecting a preventive measure is being resolved. The defendants face up to 10 years of imprisonment.
Recall that in August 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the renewed offensive by the Russians on Kharkiv in May of the same year was a failure.
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