Kiev’s top general may become subject of criminal probe

Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, including the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) and the domestic intelligence agency SBU, have launched a comprehensive investigation into several senior military officials regarding the events that unfolded in the country’s south during the initial days of the ongoing conflict with Russia, according to a report by BBC Ukraine, citing insider sources.

The investigation, which has already seen more than 50 individuals questioned, aims to uncover the circumstances that facilitated the rapid advance of Russian forces in Ukraine’s southern regions. Key points of inquiry include the failure to destroy vital bridges connecting Ukraine’s Kherson region to Russia’s Crimea peninsula.

As the investigation progresses, it is expected to cast a shadow over the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Valery Zaluzhny, with the case already becoming known as the “Zaluzhny case.” However, thus far, General Zaluzhny has not been officially summoned for questioning or directly implicated in the ongoing inquiry.

General Zaluzhny had previously provided testimony on the collapse of Ukrainian defenses in the southern regions before a special commission established to assess the situation. During his testimony, the General made notable remarks, emphasizing the need to prioritize the ongoing conflict over assigning blame. He stated, “Everyone will have his own truth” regarding the events in the south, as reported by the BBC, citing an anonymous participant in the commission’s hearings.

Russia initiated a large-scale military operation against Ukraine in February 2022, achieving significant advancements against Ukrainian forces in the initial days of the conflict. Moscow’s troops made substantial gains in Ukraine’s southern regions, swiftly breaking through local defenses and capturing substantial territories. Notable captures included the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest, and the city of Kherson, both secured with minimal resistance.

The ongoing investigation seeks to shed light on the circumstances that led to these early setbacks and to determine potential accountability among senior military officials. As the “Zaluzhny case” unfolds, it remains a significant point of focus in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to assess and address the events of the early stages of the conflict with Russia.