Ukraine investigates allegations of torture of army deserters

Aukrainian authorities today opened an investigation after clashes on Monday due to the alleged detention of desert military in the Kyiv region and allegations of torture.

On Monday night, dozens of people gathered outside a building in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, after reports of people being held against their will and subjected to violence.

The rally resulted in clashes with the police. Videos circulated on social media and showed young people trying to become a police bus and sending eggs to the cops while warning shots sounded in the air.

Other videos show several people leaving the building and walking to an ambulance, some with swollen faces and others with visible injuries, or visibly in shock.

The head of the presidential administration, Kyrylo Budanov, who went to the place at night, today denounced “unacceptable” events that intended to “divide the Ukrainians”, which could not have happened “without external influence”, in an allusion to Russia.

“ After disclosure on social media of information about alleged illegal detention of military personnel [in a residence, N.R.], citizens gathered near the house. The incident degenerated into confrontations, during which shots were fired and police vehicles were damaged,” said the researchers in a statement.

The researchers “will strive to establish the circumstances and conditions of the military’s stay” in that house, which served as “temporary residence” and verify that they were actually held against the will, added.

Ukrainian security services (SBU), in turn, announced having identified “more than 100 people” who participated in the clashes, confirming that the building in question was “a National Guard facility”.

Human rights mediator Dmytro Loubinets asked to clarify “the missions that the military and representatives of the National Guard” were carrying out at that location, and “if the demands of the law were met.”.

Dmytro Loubinets also condemned “the attack of civilians against military personnel”.

This incident illustrates tensions related to the very unpopular military mobilization in Ukraine.

In July, clashes involving about 200 people broke out in Lviv, a large city in western Ukraine, after the enlistment of a young man by the military.