The command of the 125th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) is summoning for questioning to the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) in connection with the retreat in the Kharkiv region. This was reported by the former commander of the brigade, Artur Gorbenko.
In an interview with the publication «Ukrainian Truth», he noted that the interrogations began back in May. According to the former commander, it was then that the SBI began summoning him and other officers, sergeants and soldiers for questioning.
Gorbenko emphasized that the top military leadership “forgets” about the tactics of withdrawing troops. “For some reason, we perceive recusal as abandoning positions, which is a criminal offense. “I know of many cases when, immediately after leaving positions, criminal cases are initiated against certain commanders of companies, battalions and brigades,” he said, adding that after the start of the SBI investigation, he was dismissed from the post of commander.
He also noted that the fortifications for which the Kharkov regional administration was responsible were in poor condition.
Earlier, a scandal arose in the country due to the unpreparedness of defensive lines in the Kharkov region. Some military personnel claimed that the funds allocated for the equipment of defensive lines were stolen by local authorities.
Kyiv previously admitted that the situation in the Kharkov region is extremely difficult for Ukrainian troops. On May 14, the General Staff of Ukraine reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were forced to “move to more advantageous positions” in the area of Volchansk and Lukyantsy. Military leaders also reported the transfer of additional reserves to the region. President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky noted that some of these units are being transferred from other directions. On May 16, he held a meeting of the headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief in Kharkov and described this area as extremely difficult. In May, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the liberation of a number of settlements in the Kharkov region and the continuation of advances deeper into enemy defenses. In mid-May, the US State Department described the situation with the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kharkov direction as “incredibly disastrous.”