The suspect in the murder of volunteer Demyan Hanul in Odesa, Serhii Shalaiev, is an active serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
He said this in the Odesa court, the Ukrainian News agency reports.
In court, the suspect said that his name is Serhii Shalaiev, he is 46 years old, has a higher education, was born in Kyiv, but recently lived in Odesa, and has not been brought to criminal responsibility before.
He also noted that he is an active serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but has unauthorizedly abandoned his military unit.
The 28th separate mechanized brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign confirmed that Shalaiev has the rank of senior lieutenant and was transferred to the brigade in July last year.
He was allowed to temporarily perform the duties of a reserve officer of a reserve company.
After the transfer, Shalaiev spent almost all the time receiving treatment and was not involved in the area of combat missions.
On February 22, 2025, Shalaiev did not return from vacation, and since then he is considered to have unauthorizedly abandoned his military unit.
"All the necessary information has been provided to law enforcement agencies. This shameful crime will definitely be solved and the criminal must suffer the most severe punishment," the 28th brigade noted.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the SSU established that the suspect in the murder of activist Hanul is a deserter. The person detained for the murder of activist Demyan Hanul was reported the suspicion, and the court arrested him for 2 months without the option of bail.
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