Kyiv suburb protests over military detention site

Clashes erupted in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, a suburb of Kyiv, after reports surfaced that a private house was being used as a temporary holding facility for soldiers who had left their units without authorization. Protesters, including local residents and relatives, alleged that servicemen were being subjected to torture at the site.

National Guard commander Oleksandr Pivnenko stated the location served as a temporary holding point for absent-without-leave soldiers, noting that four individuals required medical treatment. During the confrontation, Kyrylo Budanov, head of the President's Office, reportedly attended the scene to urge the crowd to disperse and was hit with pepper spray. While police denied allegations of illegal detention or deaths, an internal inquiry and an ombudsman review were initiated.

Following the unrest, the Security Service of Ukraine issued approximately 130 warrants for individuals involved in the protests. Investigators suggested the disturbances may have been organized to facilitate the kidnapping of a National Guard member. During the clashes, protesters reportedly damaged a perimeter wall, prompting security forces to respond with warning shots and tear gas. The incident has highlighted social tensions regarding mobilization and the treatment of deserters in Ukraine.