Ukraine's military ombudsman Olha Reshetylova (Kobylinska) has joined the investigation into the conflict in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, Kyiv region, where clashes occurred between local residents and National Guard servicemen near the building. A check will be conducted over the incident, and the National Guard command will carry out an internal investigation.
This was reported on November 2 by military ombudsman Olha Reshetylova and the National Guard of Ukraine.
According to the ombudsman, representatives of her Office are working at the scene together with the National Guard command. Their task is to find out the circumstances of the conflict, verify reports of possible violations of servicemen's rights and determine whether the people in the building need help.
The National Guard stated that the main task is to establish the real circumstances of the incident and determine whether violations occurred. For this, an internal investigation will be ordered. In addition, law enforcement agencies are conducting their own check to provide an independent legal assessment of the events.
The agency stressed that if violations are found, those responsible should bear legal liability.
The National Guard also reported that some relatives of the servicemen and members of the public have already been given access to the premises. They had the opportunity to personally talk with the people inside.
Separately, representatives of the NGU clarified information about medical assistance. According to their data, people who needed a medical examination were taken by an ambulance crew. They promise to provide information about possible injuries and health condition after clarification.
At the time of the last report, no additional requests for medical assistance had been received. The National Guard also denied widespread reports of a death.
Later, the agency reported that measures had been taken to bring people out of the building. Everyone who needs help will be provided with it. The citizens gathered near the house began to disperse.
The conflict in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka arose after information spread on social media that about 40 men were allegedly illegally detained in the basement of a private house. It was claimed that some of them were in serious condition, but medical workers were not allowed inside.
After these reports appeared, local residents and relatives of the servicemen gathered near the building. People demanded access to the men inside. The situation escalated when some of the crowd tried to forcefully open the gates.
Videos of clashes with police appeared on social media. According to media reports, law enforcement officers used special means to restrain the crowd.
The Kyiv regional police earlier stated that the information about illegal detention of people and a death was untrue.
Law enforcement officials explained that the initial call came from workers of a private emergency medical service, who complained about obstruction of access to a citizen in need of a medical examination.
The arriving police established that the incident was connected with a private house where servicemen of one of the National Guard units were staying.
To resolve the conflict, the leadership of the Kyiv regional police and representatives of the NGU command arrived at the scene. The commander of the National Guard, Oleksandr Pivnenko, also spoke with the crowd.
The final circumstances of the servicemen's stay in the building, the causes of the conflict and possible violations of their rights should be established during the upcoming checks. At the time of publication, no official conclusions about illegal detention of people or guilt of specific officials had been made public.
The National Guard promised to regularly report on the condition of people who required assistance and the results of the investigation.
