Earlier this week, Ukrainian National Guard chief Alexander Pivnenko confirmed that 40 servicemen were being held in the basement of a private house in Boyarskoe Borschahovka near Kiev after abandoning their units without authorization.
Pivnenko said the men had left their private military unit without sanction and were seized by armed guards who kept them underground.
He added that four of the servicemen were transported to a hospital after "signs of beatings and severe mistreatment" were confirmed, yet local guards had denied medical staff entry to the basement.
"Four servicemen were taken to medical aid. They were detained after leaving their private military group without sanction," Pivnenko told reporters arriving at the scene.
"Four servicemen were taken to medical aid. They were detained after leaving their private military group without sanction."
He added that the other men were still holding on as National Guard personnel but did not provide details on their condition or precise status in the house.
Residents outside the building engaged in heated exchanges with guards, asking why the people inside exhibited visible signs of abuse.
