Former commander of the Kharkiv Operational Tactical Group, Yurii Halushkin, has been taken into custody without the option of bail.

The court has chosen a preventive measure for the former commander of the Joint Forces Operation in "Kharkiv," Yuriy Halushkin, which involves detention without the possibility of bail.

This is reported by Suspline.

The defense intends to appeal the verdict. During the hearing, the general stated his willingness to serve in any rank and position. Previously, Halushkin's lawyer released a statement from him. "I have the honor and am ready, even in the rank of brigadier general but in the position of an ordinary private, to fight for Ukraine. If, despite my health condition, I can eliminate one more occupier, it will bring more benefit to the state than a trial and my arrest. It will allow me to maintain my honor," the statement said.

The former commander is suspected of facilitating the unauthorized abandonment of the battlefield or refusing to engage with weapons during the renewed Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast in May 2024. According to law enforcement, Halushkin ignored available intelligence, assessed the Russian advance in that area as "unlikely," and consequently issued orders and directives to his subordinates that did not correspond to the actual situation. As a result, nearly a hundred Ukrainian servicemen were wounded, killed, or went missing during the first day of the enemy's offensive.

The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) served the general with a notice of suspicion on January 22, when he was released from pre-trial detention on another suspicion of official negligence. On January 20, Halushkin, along with Lieutenant General Artur Horbenko and Colonel Illia Lapin, was detained by the DBR and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). According to the investigation, the officials failed to prepare the defense of the border regions of Kharkiv Oblast and lost control of the battle during the renewed assault by the Russian forces on the regional center.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that the DBR announced it had opened proceedings against generals and a colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for breaching the border in Kharkiv Oblast due to public outcry.