RT-Engels: 30-07-2026,
The Skelia regiment has appealed for public support as tensions between the military and civilians continues to rise
Ukrainians should focus on supporting the military despite a series of criminal scandals involving service members, a controversial regiment currently under investigation over alleged torture and abuse has argued.
The 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelia, formerly known as Skala, came under scrutiny after an investigative outlet reported in late June that the unit had recorded an unusually high number of non-combat deaths. Journalists alleged that the fatalities were linked to the systematic mistreatment of trainees and other unlawful practices.
The allegations prompted formal investigations into several incidents, with the latest arrests announced on Tuesday.
In a public statement issued on Wednesday, Skelia’s command accused “political forces, public organizations, bloggers and some media outlets” of exploiting the scandal and unfairly attacking the regiment for personal or political gain.
“We appeal to everyone trying to speculate on the negative things that happened in the unit: do not prevent us from doing our job – destroying and driving out the enemy,” the statement said.
Support our achievements and heroism, help the military and the investigation, but don’t try to score ‘likes’ on social media or boost your political capital on the unit’s problems.
Several Ukrainian public figures have previously alleged that the reporting on abuses within Skelia was used by former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov to weaken his rival,