The bureau said the report contained allegations of possible violence, abuse of authority and other potential violations by certain officials within the unit.
To verify the claims, investigators from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) opened a criminal case under Article 426-1, Part 5 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which covers abuse of power or official authority by a military officer under martial law resulting in serious consequences.
The SBI said investigative and procedural actions are underway to establish all circumstances of the case, verify the accuracy of the published information and determine an objective account of events.
The bureau added that once the investigation is completed, a legal assessment will be made of the actions of any individuals whose involvement in possible offenses is confirmed.
Skelya Regiment: Key developments
Journalists from Babel compiled data on military deaths between late autumn 2025 and spring 2026 and reported at least 26 deaths among recruits of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelya that were not related to combat.
According to the publication, most of the recruits died shortly after mobilization from pneumonia, cardiovascular conditions and other illnesses. Relatives of some of the deceased alleged inadequate medical care and isolated cases of violence, allegations the regiment has denied.
In May, Suspilne reported on five service members of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelya who died shortly after being mobilized.
According to the report, recruits from the Ivano-Frankivsk region — Vasyl Voichuk, Vasyl Tsiurko, Yaroslav Mokrii, Petro Danyltsiv and Vitalii Karata — died less than two weeks after mobilization in March. Their relatives alleged the soldiers had been beaten. At the time, the regiment said it was cooperating with law enforcement and other authorized bodies to establish the circumstances of the deaths.
Media outlets also reported in March on five other soldiers mobilized to the regiment this year who later died from pneumonia. Their relatives blamed commanders and medical personnel, saying the men had not received timely assistance.
In April, volunteer and Defense Ministry adviser Serhii Sternenko accused commanders of the 425th Assault Regiment Skelya of conducting assaults that resulted in heavy Ukrainian casualties. The unit responded by saying he had relied on information from Russian sources.
On May 18, Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said a separate inspection had been launched at the regiment and that a closed-door meeting involving the regiment’s leadership and the General Staff had been initiated.