Ukraine detains two generals accused of negligence in defending against Russian offensive

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KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s State Investigation Bureau (DBR) said on Monday it had detained two generals and a colonel suspected of negligence in failing to adequately defend against a Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region last year.

The DBR said in a statement on Telegram the detained officers were the former chief commander of the Kharkiv frontline, a former commander of a brigade and a former commander of an infantry battalion. It did not give their names.

Russia launched an assault across the border in May 2024 into Ukraine’s northern region of Kharkiv, advancing by several kilometres in the first few days.

The attack alarmed Ukraine, causing President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to cancel scheduled foreign trips and fire several military commanders as he dealt with the unfolding crisis.

Ukraine’s military was eventually able to halt the Russian advance about 25 kilometres away from the edge of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, which Russia had unsuccessfully attempted to capture at the start of its invasion in 2022 before pulling back.

The DBR said it had co-operated with Ukraine’s domestic intelligence service in the case, and had been assisted by the defence ministry and the military command.

(Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Peter Graff)