Denys Bahrii-Shakhmatov — "Skelya" / Odesa

Date 01.02.2026

Source note: official statements, media reports, eyewitness accounts, and social media claims are presented as claims by the respective sources. They are not treated as established facts without independent confirmation, forensic documents, or a court ruling.

38-year-old Denys Bahrii-Shakhmatov from Odesa died on February 13, 2026 — less than two weeks after arriving at the 425th Assault Regiment "Skelya". His family reported systematic denial of medical care.

Chronology

  • Late January 2026 — Denys Bahrii-Shakhmatov was mobilized in Odesa and assigned to the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "Skelya".
  • 01.02.2026 — Arrived at the regiment's location.
  • Early February 2026 — While stationed at the unit, his health deteriorated sharply. According to his relatives, he pleaded for medical assistance and hospitalization for several consecutive days, but his complaints were ignored.
  • 13.02.2026 — Denys Bahrii-Shakhmatov died. The official cause of death was listed as acute cardiovascular failure.
  • His family pointed to contradictions in official paperwork and stated that command refused to release the body for an extended period, threatening cremation without family consent.

Circumstances and Public Resonance

The death of Denys Bahrii-Shakhmatov received widespread public attention in the summer of 2026 following a major journalistic investigation published by Babel (June 23, 2026) regarding conditions inside the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "Skelya". According to the investigation, at least 26 non-combat recruit deaths occurred within six months (caused by pneumonia, cardiovascular conditions, and mistreatment). Denys Bahrii-Shakhmatov was named among the deceased.

His sister, Darya Melnyk, published appeals across media and social networks demanding accountability for the officers responsible for withholding medical care from her brother.

Official Reaction and Investigation

  • Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights: Dmytro Lubinets confirmed deficiencies in medical care for recruits in the 425th regiment and held working meetings with AFU command. On June 25–26, 2026, the Ombudsman's monitoring team was dispatched to the unit's location.
  • State Bureau of Investigation (SBI): The SBI opened criminal proceedings regarding non-combat deaths and alleged misconduct in the unit. By August 2026, over 100 proceedings had been opened.
  • Personnel decisions: The commander of the 425th regiment, Yurii Harkavyi (callsign "Skala"), was suspended pending the official inquiry.
  • Unit position: Representatives of the 425th regiment stated that most deaths were attributable to recruits' chronic illnesses and claimed medical assistance was provided where possible.

Sources

Media