Training group commander of Kharkiv military school suspected of beating cadet and placed on wanted list – SBI

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has served a notice of suspicion to a training group commander of the Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National University of Air Force for using physical violence against a cadet. After the proceedings were initiated, the commander fled and has been placed on the state wanted list, the SBI reports.

"SBI employees exposed the commander of one of the training groups of the Faculty of Air Defense of the Ground Forces of the Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National University of Air Force," the agency stated on its Telegram channel on Monday.

According to the investigation, during self-study classes, the commander decided to "test the knowledge" of his subordinate. Due to dissatisfaction with the answer, the commander used physical violence—striking the cadet several times with his fists on the torso and head. Later, in the corridor, he continued the beating, forced the serviceman to his knees, and struck him on the head again. He accompanied his actions with insults and humiliation, the Bureau notes.

As a result of these actions, the victim sustained minor bodily injuries.

The SBI emphasizes that after the criminal proceedings began, the suspect started pressuring witnesses; specifically, in a phone conversation, he threatened one of them with violence for giving testimony.

"Subsequently, the sergeant informed the leadership that he had allegedly been summoned for interrogation by the SBI, but used this as a pretext to voluntarily leave his place of service under martial law," the agency informs.

The SBI clarifies that since the suspect is in hiding, the notice of suspicion was served to his close relatives in accordance with the law.

He is charged with the use of violence by a military official against a subordinate under martial law (Part 5, Art. 426-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine); threat of violence against a witness as revenge for previously given testimony (Art. 386 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine); and desertion from a military unit under martial law (Part 4, Art. 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The suspect has been placed on the state wanted list. Procedural guidance is provided by the Volyn Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the defense sphere of the Western Region.