Commander of Ukraine ‘mock crucifixion’ army unit accused of corruption over alleged abuse of power

Khmelnytskyi: So, there’s this big scandal brewing in Ukraine. The commander of a military unit, known for some pretty wild stuff, is in hot water for corruption. Colonel Oleh Poberezhniuk, who leads the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade, got arrested for allegedly making soldiers build his house. Can you believe that?

Apparently, he took four soldiers off their regular duties to do construction work for him last autumn. And get this, they were still getting combat bonuses while working on his place. Talk about a misuse of power!

He was charged with abuse of power but got out on bail, which was around £17,300. It’s unclear if he paid it himself or if someone else did. The whole situation has raised eyebrows, especially after a newspaper reported that soldiers in his unit faced serious abuse and extortion.

Some soldiers claimed they were beaten and had to pay off officers to avoid being sent to more dangerous infantry units. There was even a shocking photo of a soldier tied up in a mock crucifixion. Just insane!

It turns out that the commander’s son, who’s also involved, allegedly threatened soldiers to cough up cash or face dire consequences. This whole mess has sparked outrage on social media, and people are demanding accountability.

Ukrainian officials are now investigating the unit after these allegations came to light. It’s a tough time for the military, which is already struggling with manpower issues due to the ongoing war. The defense minister has made it clear that those responsible need to face the music.

With all this drama, it’s no wonder trust in the armed forces is taking a hit. The military has been dealing with corruption scandals for a while now, and this latest incident is just adding fuel to the fire.

As the situation unfolds, it’s clear that the Ukrainian military has some serious issues to address, and the public is watching closely.