Former Commander of 155th Brigade Suspected of Kidnapping and Murder of Civilians

Investigation and Charges

According to the Military Law Enforcement Service (VSP) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the former commander of the 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade (part of the Operational Command "North") and all currently identified participants in the crime have been notified of suspicion of criminal offenses related to illegal deprivation of liberty and premeditated murder. The investigation was conducted by the Internal Security Directorate of the VSP together with the Main Department of the National Police in the Kyiv region, following an order from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

A large-scale set of operational and investigative measures resulted in the exposure of an organized group involved in the kidnapping and murder of two civilians in the Kyiv region. Suspects have been detained in several regions of Ukraine. The authorities continue to gather evidence.

Response and Next Steps

The General Staff of the Armed Forces confirmed that the individuals involved in the case have been suspended from their duties and are cooperating with the investigation. The General Staff also commented on the fact that the brigade commander had left his unit without authorization. Efforts are underway to locate him. The VSP emphasized that preventive and control measures have been intensified to prevent similar incidents, and that punishment is inevitable regardless of position or rank.

Background

Earlier, media reported that the brigade commander, Stanislav Luchanov, was wanted after nine soldiers of his brigade were detained on suspicion of kidnapping two civilians in the Kyiv region. According to sources, the crime occurred on the basis of a domestic conflict: the commander ordered his subordinates to kidnap two individuals, who were later taken to the Poltava region and killed. The victims are brothers Maksym and Roman Moseichuk, whose father died at the front.