Commander Links Kyiv Oblast Clashes to Failed Bribery Bid for Mobilized Soldier

Unrest that erupted near a military deployment point in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, Kyiv Oblast, originated from efforts by the relatives of a serviceman to secure his release from active duty. Pavlo Kurchenko, the commander of Military Unit 3121 within the 1st Corps of the Azov National Guard, explained in an interview that the disturbances were provoked by the family of Andrii Kuleshov. Kuleshov had been mobilized into the armed forces, and his relatives were determined to remove him from service through financial means.

According to Kurchenko, the immediate trigger for the conflict occurred on the eve of the clashes when Kuleshov's mother visited the deployment site. She arrived under the pretense of delivering her son's personal belongings. During this visit, she attempted to negotiate a deal with a soldier, offering a sum of money to have Kuleshov released. The commander noted that while he does not recall the exact figure discussed, the amount mentioned was approximately US$7,000.

The soldier involved in the exchange declined the cash offer. He accepted only the personal items and passed them on to Kuleshov. This refusal to accept the bribe appears to have intensified the tensions that eventually led to the physical confrontation outside the facility.

Kuleshov's military background provided additional context for the situation. He had previously served in the National Guard before being assigned to a territorial recruitment center. From there, he was sent to the 52nd Regiment, from which he later fled. Soldiers from his unit eventually located him at his home in Kyiv, detained him, and transported him to Petropavlivska Borshchahivka. Upon his arrival, he was placed in a quarantine period intended for adaptation following his absence without leave.

Further scrutiny was directed at Kuleshov due to his connections with the temporarily occupied territories in eastern Ukraine. Kurchenko pointed out that Kuleshov's details appeared on the Myrotvorets website, a platform that tracks individuals with links to the Russian Federation. The reason for this listing was multiple illegal crossings of the Ukrainian border into the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics between 2015 and 2021. Additionally, Kuleshov's brother continues to reside in the non-government-controlled territory of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic.

Kuleshov's mother also permanently resides in the Russian-occupied territory of Donetsk Oblast. The regiment commander stated that the woman had entered the Ukrainian-controlled area allegedly to seek medical assistance. Her plan was to return to the occupation zone after her visit, a detail that added to the complexity of the situation.

The physical clashes took place on the evening of November 2 outside a building that functioned as a temporary deployment point for the 1st Corps of the Azov National Guard. A crowd began to gather after live streams were broadcast by a woman posing as a doctor. She claimed that people were being tortured in the basement of the facility, which fueled the anger of the onlookers.

Participants in the assault used gas and threw stones at the building. The violence resulted in injuries to 16 members of the National Guard. In response to the incident, the State Bureau of Investigation opened criminal proceedings on November 3. The investigation focuses on the possible abuse of power or official authority by military officials involved in the case.

Law enforcement agencies identified more than 100 individuals who participated in the clashes on November 3. Among those detained was a woman who had been presenting herself as a medic to the public. The legal process continued on November 4 when the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv began the procedure of selecting a preventive measure for the individual known as the fake doctor, Valentyna Moloda.

The investigation charges Moloda with obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations. Her actions are central to the ongoing legal review of the events that unfolded in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka over the past week.