Azov Commander Refutes Rumors: Details Released on Four Injured Soldiers

Pavlo Kurchenko, commander of Military Unit 3121 within the 1st Corps of the Azov National Guard, released specific details on the condition of four mobilized servicemen injured in a clash at a temporary deployment site in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, Kyiv Oblast. The incident occurred on November 2, when 26 mobilized soldiers were housed in a single building. Kurchenko stated that four men sustained injuries requiring medical care, while the rest remained unharmed.

The release addresses conflicting online accounts regarding the event. Kurchenko disputed a live-stream claim by Dr. Valentyna Moloda, who had suggested numerous individuals were beaten and that dead bodies were present. The unit confirmed the four injured men are Andrii Kuleshov, Ivan Yareshko, Oleksandr Pavliuchenko, and Oleksandr Perminov. All were transported to a National Guard medical facility following the disturbance.

Background documents indicate varied circumstances for each soldier. Kuleshov was in quarantine after an absence without leave and had a prior record of illegal border crossings between 2015 and 2021. Yareshko, mobilized on October 30, tested positive for narcotics and was isolated after aggressive behavior, including an attempt to attack a medical worker. Pavliuchenko suffered a consolidated fracture of the ninth vertebra during training but was returned to the site after being discharged from a hospital due to intoxication. Perminov, whom Kurchenko did not classify as a victim, had previously gone absent without leave after encouraging others to escape.

All four men are currently reported in stable condition. The National Guard launched internal investigations to review the circumstances of the clash. The conflict was triggered by unverified reports of torture and illegal detention, which led a crowd to gather and smash a National Guard bus. High-ranking officials, including National Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko and Kyiv Office Head Kyrylo Budanov, visited the scene to manage the situation.

Initial reports of illegal detention originated with a woman identifying as the owner of Med-Prestige, a private ambulance service inactive since 2023. Journalists from Slidstvo.Info identified her as Valentyna Moloda, a plastic surgery clinic owner. She was the first to arrive at the house in an ambulance and declare the military personnel were being illegally held. Budanov confirmed on November 4 that Moloda has been detained.