‘Skelya’ Confirms 25 Non-Combat Deaths of Its Fighters, but Says It Doesn’t Know the Circumstances
Ukraine’s ‘Skelya’ assault regiment has confirmed that 25 of its 26 soldiers mentioned in a journalistic investigation died in non-combat situations, but representatives claim they are unaware of the circumstances of their deaths.
The ‘Skelya’ assault regiment has acknowledged that 25 of the 26 servicemen mentioned in an investigation by the media outlet ‘Babel’ indeed died in non-combat circumstances. However, the regiment’s officials say they do not know the details of these deaths.
Andriy Suray, head of the regiment’s civil-military cooperation group, made the statement during an online meeting with journalists on Thursday, June 25. He confirmed that 25 of the 26 listed soldiers had died. One individual could not be identified and was never part of the regiment. Another soldier had been seconded to a training center, where he fell ill, was transferred to a hospital, and died there.
Suray noted that all the mentioned soldiers had committed the offense of unauthorized absence (AWOL). However, he emphasized that the regiment has no information about the circumstances of their deaths and that investigations are ongoing. “If any facts of abuse of duty are established, those responsible will face legal punishment,” Suray said.
He added that commissions and criminal proceedings have already been initiated and will determine whether the information about the deaths is accurate.
