Kyiv, July 11, 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a comprehensive reform of the assault troops within six months in response to the deaths of more than two dozen recruits at the "Skelja" assault regiment, including criminal investigations and personnel consequences at the top of the unit.
Zelensky spoke on Friday in a video address and announced that there would be a change at the leadership level of the assault troops as part of the reform. "There are many questions, problems that need to be solved. Above all, in dealing with people," the head of state said according to the statement. The priority is better treatment of soldiers.
The background is a media report from June that revealed that within six months, more than two dozen recruits died during their basic training at the "Skelja" assault regiment. The reports accused the instructors of abusing and humiliating recruits – according to the reports, the recruits were beaten, humiliated, and otherwise mistreated.