Soldier Serhiy Hnezdilov to remain in custody amid controversy over military service terms
Source: Suspilne
On November 19, the Kyiv Court of Appeals upheld a decision to keep Serhiy Hnezdilov, a soldier of the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Mariupol Brigade, in custody. Hnezdilov faces charges of going AWOL.
The court rejected his appeal against a pretrial detention order issued by the Pechersk District Court in Kyiv, meaning Hnezdilov will remain in custody for 60 days without the possibility of bail.
The embittered soldier said he was planning to challenge the verdict adding it would make him go on hunger strike unless Ukraine’s defense ministry comes up with a bill addressing demobilization procedures. He added he was ready to return to service if the proposed legislation is passed.
On October 11, the court ordered the detention of Hnezdilov after he publicly admitted to leaving his military unit. Hnezdilov argued that he was trying to draw attention to the situation when there are no clear policy for when and how soldiers can be demobilized.
In his statements, Hnezdilov vented his frustration over the burden infantry troops face in combat zones while many other Ukrainian men dodge the military service using different schemes like fake medical exemptions. He also spoke about the mental and physical exhaustion among soldiers, calling out Ukrainians on the home front of their failure to share the responsibility.
Hnezdilov’s case has sparked debate about the strain on military personnel and calls for reforms in Ukraine’s mobilization and service policies.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.
A kamikaze drone flies directly toward an armored personnel carrier. But instead of penetrating the hull, it explodes on a steel screen. The crew survives. This is the new reality for Ukrainian forces, who have received enhanced protection thanks to the Metinvest project within “Steel Front of Rinat Akhmetov”.
To commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “Bukvy” has compiled data on the largest donors supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among them there are charitable foundations and businesses. The list includes, in particular, foundations that provide assistance exclusively from their own resources, without fundraising (such as SCM by Rinat Akhmetov, Epicenter, etc.).