On October 14, 2026, a 36-year-old Russian serviceman was detained in Kharkiv on suspicion of killing five Ukrainian soldiers and one civilian man. The arrest occurred as a result of a special operation involving law enforcement, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the prosecutor's office, and the National Guard of Ukraine.
Details of the Crime
According to the investigation, the detained individual is a serviceman of the 1009th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces. He is believed to have been part of a sabotage and reconnaissance group and disguised himself in civilian clothing to avoid recognition. Before committing the murders, he reached the Tsyrkunivska community, where he killed a local resident fishing near a water body, fearing that the man would expose him.
Details of the Military Killings
On October 13, 2026, the armed man broke into a private house in the village of Momotove in the Kharkiv district, where Ukrainian servicemen were temporarily residing. During the attack, he opened fire, resulting in the deaths of five soldiers from the 72nd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After committing the crime, he fled, disposing of his automatic weapon, and moved through the forest towards Kharkiv.
Arrest and Further Actions
The suspect was detained less than a day after the murders. Investigative actions are currently underway to establish all the circumstances of the crime, and the possibility of the detainee's involvement in another murder is being checked. The procedural management is carried out by prosecutors of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, and the issue of notifying the suspect is being considered under part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.