The Kyiv police are currently investigating allegations of assault involving Volodymyr Balukh, a former Kremlin prisoner, at a military recruitment center in the Shevchenkivskyi district of the city. Balukh claims he sustained injuries while at the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support (TCK) on the evening of the incident.
According to police communications, Balukh reported that he was injured within the premises of the TCK. He is presently hospitalized, and a forensic team has been dispatched to the medical facility to gather details and take his statement. Authorities are assessing the legal implications of the incident.
Ukrainian Member of Parliament Volodymyr Ariev stated on social media that Balukh was assaulted at the TCK. He described Balukh as a person with a disability who has a metal plate in his skull, alleging that he was struck on the head inside the center and was restrained in handcuffs throughout the night.
Ariev further mentioned that the altercation arose from disputes regarding Balukh’s disability status and that he had been denied access to his confiscated phone, leading to the alleged assault. He suggested that the incident may be retaliation for Balukh’s critical stance toward the government.
In response, the Kyiv TCK has denied any use of force during Balukh’s time at the center. They stated that he was brought in as a conscript due to issues with his military registration, which had been unresolved since June 27, 2025. The center’s statement indicated that there was no record of his being in captivity or any military honors, and he was not eligible for deferment from service.
The TCK’s statement emphasized that Balukh was required to resolve discrepancies in his military records and that he had not raised any complaints during his stay. They asserted that no unlawful actions were taken against him by military personnel.
Subsequently, it was revealed that Balukh has a recognized second-degree disability, but he had not formally applied for a deferment as required by law. The TCK stated that he was issued a summons to rectify his military registration issues before leaving the facility.
A service investigation has been initiated to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the allegations.
Background on Volodymyr Balukh
Volodymyr Balukh was among the individuals exchanged in a prisoner swap with Russia on September 7, 2019, which included 24 Ukrainian sailors and 11 political prisoners. He was initially detained by the Russian FSB in Crimea on December 8, 2016, under accusations of possessing ammunition and explosives, which his supporters claim were fabricated charges linked to his pro-Ukrainian activism.
A Russian-controlled court sentenced Balukh to 3 years and 5 months in a penal colony for these charges. He gained international attention for his hunger strike in protest against his conviction, and his case has been highlighted by human rights advocates as an example of political repression.
Kyiv police are investigating allegations of assault against Volodymyr Balukh at a military recruitment center. Balukh claims he was injured during his detention, while the TCK denies any use of force and has initiated an internal investigation.