SBI launches investigation into massive AWOL in 155th "Anna of Kyiv" brigade following media reports
The State Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation into the abuse of power and desertion in the 155th mechanized brigade "Anna of Kyiv" following an investigation published in the media.
According to Censor.NET, this was reported to Interfax-Ukraine by the SBI's communications advisor Tetiana Sapian.
"The SBI is indeed examining the facts presented in the media within the framework of criminal proceedings initiated under Article 426-1 (abuse of power or official authority by a military person - ed.) and Article 408 (desertion - ed.) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The investigation is ongoing. It's too early to talk about any preliminary results," Sapian said.
What preceded it?
As a reminder, the day before, Censor.NET Editor-in-Chief Yurii Butusov outlined a number of facts about the circumstances of the formation and functioning of the 155th mechanized brigade "Anna of Kyiv", which entered the battle near Pokrovsk and suffered significant losses there.
According to him, the 155th Brigade faced a number of problems: 1,700 soldiers went AWOL before the first battle, the brigade commander was fired immediately after the battle, and one of the brigade's leaders died of a heart attack.
Butusov conducted a lengthy investigation to find out what exactly led to the significant losses among the brigade's personnel and equipment and the massive AWOL.
In October, the 155th Brigade left for training in France.1924 servicemen were sent there, of whom only 51 had more than a year of military service, 459 had up to a year of experience, and the majority, 1414, were just enlisted and served for less than 2 months, about 150 people were sent to France even without undergoing the basic general military training. About 50 military brigades fled to France.
The editor-in-chief of Censor.NET also reports that the brigade was not provided with the necessary weapons. In particular, the brigade has not received any drones from the state to perform combat missions. Also, according to Butusov, there were no electronic warfare systems. The brigade was supplied by volunteers.
In addition, all the 120 mm mortar shells produced by the Ministry of Strategic Industries that were given to the brigade were faulty.
The journalist accused the political and military leadership of the state of an ill-conceived PR stunt and called for liability.
