Skelia Regiment comes under operational command of Ukraine’s Azov Corps

The statement said that during August, several Skelia battalions, along with the regiment's command, were redeployed to the sector of the Azov 1st Corps of Ukraine's National Guard and carried out assigned combat missions to clear enemy forces that had penetrated brigade defensive lines.

Azov noted improvements in operational discipline and efforts to minimize casualties during combat missions. It also said the redeployment and consolidation of the regiment's dispersed forces in one sector of the front were continuing.

"Improvements in operational discipline and the minimization of casualties during combat missions should be noted. The redeployment and consolidation of the regiment's dispersed forces in one sector of the front are currently underway," the statement said.

Azov pledged to do everything possible to share its experience, values and principles with Skelia, which it said would "help the regiment continue to effectively carry out its assigned missions while preserving the lives and health of its personnel."

Situation in the Skelia regiment

On June 23, Babel published an investigation reporting the deaths of at least 26 recruits from the Skelia unit between late fall 2025 and spring 2026. According to journalists, most of the mobilized soldiers died shortly after being drafted from severe pneumonia, cardiovascular complications and other illnesses.

Relatives of some of those who died publicly alleged that the command had failed to provide adequate medical care and reported individual cases of physical abuse.

Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said he had taken personal control of an investigation into reports of possible torture of soldiers at a Skelia facility. A special monitoring group from the ombudsman's office traveled to the unit's location to conduct an inspection.

On June 25, the 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelia confirmed the deaths of 25 of its recruits. The unit's commander, Lt. Col. Yurii Harkavyi, was immediately suspended from his duties for the duration of the official investigation.

On July 7, relatives and loved ones of men assigned to the Skelia regiment reported additional deaths during basic military training. Six of the cases occurred during the same period, from fall 2025 to spring 2026, while one occurred in summer 2025.

On July 10, the State Bureau of Investigation announced the detention of a service member from the 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelia who was accused of beating a military chaplain and a lieutenant colonel. He was arrested without the possibility of bail on July 11.

On July 28, the State Bureau of Investigation announced that two service members from the Skelia regiment's medical company had been notified of suspicion. Investigators allege that they beat and unlawfully detained two fellow service members in the Kirovohrad region.