On 25 June 2026, Ukrainian media outlet Babel reported threats from Mykola Kharkhan, a serviceman of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelia”, call sign “Kyianyn”, following the outlet’s investigation into non-combat deaths of soldiers in the regiment.
In a video posted on his Facebook page, Kharkhan insulted the authors of the Babel investigation, Kateryna Lykhohliad and editor-in-chief Kateryna Kobernyk, using a vulgar slur in combination with their journalist title, and referring to the journalists as “media killers” allegedly working for Russian money. He also described the outlet as “office-Russian” (an unclear allusion to the office of President Zelensky and Russia) and accused the journalists of tarnishing the honour of what he called one of Ukraine’s most combat-capable units.
Kharkhan disputed Babel’s reporting that at least 26 soldiers had died from illnesses in the regiment, saying that 18 of them had died in medical facilities rather than in the regiment. He said such deaths should be investigated, but added that “no one is allowed to defame” the unit “with Russian money”.
Babel editor Hlib Husiev told IMI that the newsroom considered Kharkhan’s statements to be threats. In the same video, Kharkhan also insulted law enforcement officers, calling them “cyber-trash” and “cyber-Chekists”, and said that those involved would have to “vomit up” the money they had received.
The threats followed Babel’s 23 June 2026 investigation into the non-combat deaths of at least 26 recruits of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelia” from late 2025 to spring 2026. According to the investigation, most of them died from pneumonia, cardiovascular and other illnesses shortly after mobilisation, while relatives of some of the deceased alleged possible violence.
Oleksii Bratushchak, communications officer of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skelia”, said threats against journalists were unacceptable and that the regiment’s command had clearly stated that there should be no actions against the authors of this or any other investigation. He said Kharkhan’s statements were not the official position of the regiment.
On 7 July 2026, Babel said the State Bureau of Investigation had refused to register a complaint filed by editor-in-chief Kateryna Kobernyk and journalist Kateryna Lykhohliad regarding the threats, instead saying it would forward the complaint to the National Police. On 8 July, however, SBI head Oleksii Sukhachov said the bureau had registered criminal proceedings over the threats and would verify the information.