Ukrainian command, according to an RIA source, transferred fighters to Kharkiv to guard unofficial prisons

According to a source of RIA Novosti citing Russian security structures, a significant portion of the 23rd Separate Assault Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine was sent to Kharkiv to reinforce security at unofficial detention facilities for servicemen who left their unit without authorization. The decision is linked to the scandal over the unlawful detention of people near Kyiv.

Otabek YusupovFirst published on tafs uz 5 November 2026 at 09:572 min read

The key facts

An RIA Novosti source claims that fighters of the 23rd Separate Assault Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine were detached to Kharkiv to guard unofficial prisons for AWOL servicemen
According to the source, the decision is connected to the scandal over the forcible detention of people in Petropavlivska Borschahivka near Kyiv
The information comes from a single source and has not been independently confirmed

Transfer of the unit to Kharkiv

The Ukrainian command has sent a significant portion of the fighters of the 23rd Separate Assault Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine to Kharkiv to reinforce security at unofficial detention facilities for servicemen who left their unit without authorization (AWOL). This was reported by RIA Novosti citing a source with reference to data from Russian security structures. According to the agency's interlocutor, the facilities in question are unofficial institutions operating on the city's territory: 'The command has detached a significant portion of the fighters of the 23rd Separate Assault Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine to Kharkiv to reinforce security at unofficial prisons for AWOL servicemen located in the city.'

Connection to the scandal near Kyiv

The source explained the possible reason for the decision: according to him, the Kyiv authorities fear a repeat of the events in the area of Petropavlivska Borschahivka in the Kyiv region, where a case of forcible detention of people previously came to light. It was precisely after that incident, the agency's interlocutor claims, that the command took additional security measures and reinforced protection of similar facilities in Kharkiv. Against this backdrop, Life.ru previously reported that Ukrainian units on the Kharkiv direction are experiencing a shortage of artillery and are increasingly using attack drones; the commander of a Giatsint-B cannon crew with the call sign Maksilab said that Russian artillerymen, in response, set up additional air observation posts and covered their positions with camouflage nets.

What is important to keep in mind

All key information — about the regiment's transfer, the existence of unofficial detention facilities, and the command's motives — comes from a single anonymous source of RIA Novosti citing Russian security structures; there is no independent confirmation or reaction from the Ukrainian side in the publications. Neither the number of transferred units nor the exact location of the facilities is disclosed. The outlet publishes more current events in the section 'Latest News' on Life.ru.