The SBU and the State Bureau of Investigation have detained generals responsible for the failed defense of Kharkiv region in 2024.

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigations, in collaboration with the Security Service, have detained generals responsible for the failed defense of the Kharkiv region during the Russian offensive in 2024. Their negligence allowed the occupiers to seize part of the Kharkiv territory in May 2024.

This was reported by DBR and SSU.

According to the case materials, the individuals involved include a brigadier general who served as the commander of the operational-tactical group "Kharkiv", a lieutenant general who was the commander of the 125th separate territorial defense brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a colonel who previously headed the 415th battalion of this unit.

Media reports indicate that these individuals are Brigadier General Yuriy Halushkin, Lieutenant General Artur Horbenko, and Colonel Illia Lapin.

It is noted that the actions of the commanders led to the loss of personnel and weaponry, disrupting defense measures along the state border in their area of responsibility.

It has been established that the officials failed to prepare the defense of the border regions of Kharkiv and lost control of the combat during the renewed offensive by the Russian forces on the regional center.

Among other issues, the individuals violated the requirements of combat regulations when preparing defensive positions in the areas of responsibility of military units and units of the Joint Operational Command. During the battle, they did not utilize the full arsenal of possible measures to repel and halt the aggressor's advance.

"This led to the capture of part of the territory in the eastern region of Ukraine, where fierce battles are currently ongoing," the statement reads.

Based on the collected evidence, they have been detained and will be charged under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Part 4 of Article 425 ("Negligent attitude towards military service committed under martial law");
• Article 429 ("Organization of unauthorized abandonment of the battlefield").

The issue of choosing a preventive measure is currently being addressed. The individuals face up to 10 years of imprisonment.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that a former deputy minister of social policy is suspected of unjustified procurement amounting to 24 million UAH. According to sources from LB.ua, this concerns Boris Lebedtsov.