Ukraine arrests military officers for negligence that allegedly enabled Russian breakthrough in Kharkiv region

Ukraine’s Security Service and State Bureau of Investigation reported the arrest of two generals and a colonel on suspicion of negligence, which allegedly allowed Russian forces to capture parts of the Kharkiv region in May 2024.

The detained officers are the former commanders of the “Kharkiv” operational-tactical group, the 125th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, and the 415th Separate Rifle Battalion of the 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. A source cited by Ukrainska Pravda identified them as Brigadier General Yurii Halushkin, Lieutenant General Artur Horbenko, and Colonel Illia Lapin.

According to investigators, the officers’ negligence enabled Russian troops to seize strategic areas in the region. Their actions allegedly resulted in the loss of personnel and equipment and disrupted efforts to secure Ukraine’s state border.

Halushkin is accused of assigning defensive positions to the 125th Brigade that were incompatible with its combat capabilities. Investigators allege he failed to provide sufficient oversight of defensive operations.

Horbenko reportedly “underestimated” Russian forces’ ability to resume their offensive and neglected to address mounting threats. According to investigators, he did not relay intelligence about an impending offensive to his subordinates or ensure full mobilization of personnel, including officers.

Lapin, meanwhile, is accused of failing to organize defensive battles in key settlements and neglecting to identify and prepare critical defensive positions. Investigators allege he did not inform senior commanders about the outcomes of operations, failed to prevent 12 soldiers from abandoning their posts, and issued orders without proper authorization.

The officers have been charged under Part 4 of Article 425 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which pertains to negligence by military officials and carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.

On May 10, Russian forces launched a renewed offensive in the Kharkiv region. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have captured more than 10 settlements in the region.

Later that month, Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation opened a pre-trial investigation into the breach, focusing on allegations of unauthorized battlefield retreats and negligence in military service.