Russian serviceman from a regiment of convicts detained for killing five Ukrainian soldiers and a civilian near Kharkiv

A 36-year-old Russian serviceman, born in St. Petersburg, has been detained in Kharkiv for the killing of five Ukrainian soldiers and one civilian near the village of Momotove. The suspect, who previously served time in Russian prison colonies, is reported to be part of the second battalion of the 1009th Motorized Rifle Regiment.

This unit is known to have included inmates recruited from Russian prison colonies and has been associated with significant personnel losses for Russia in Ukraine. The detainee was apprehended on the evening of October 14, after a search involving various Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. The incident occurred on October 13 when an armed man entered a private house in Momotove, killing five Ukrainian soldiers and wounding another.

The suspect was later found in civilian clothes in the Tsyrkuny community, where he allegedly shot a local fishing enthusiast to avoid exposure. The 1009th Motorized Rifle Regiment, formed following Russia's 2022 mobilization, has faced criticism for the harsh conditions and high casualty rates experienced by its members.