Threat of destruction of military IT projects and Krotevych's victory in court against SBI: highlights for September 30

hromadske finds out about the threat of destruction of military IT projects

Three IT servicemen told us on condition of anonymity that after the change of leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the winter of 2024, it was forbidden to use the DELTA system, which was integrated with the system developed by two units of mobilised IT specialists.

Although the decision was “rolled back”, the units were then subjected to inspections, including by the SBU and the Defence Ministry's Main Inspectorate. Subsequently, the units were ordered to be disbanded.

Currently, IT projects are supported by donors who pay for cloud infrastructure. Meanwhile, the soldiers themselves are ‘hanging around’ for two months, which can leave them with a meagre salary of 1,500-2,000 hryvnias.

Krotevych secures court decision in his favour

The Kyiv Court of Appeal has ordered the State Bureau of Investigation to open a case against the former commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yurii Sodol, against whom the chief of staff of the Azov Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, Bohdan Krotevych, had complained.

No later than one day after receiving the court ruling, the SBI must launch an investigation into negligence in relation to military service (part 2 of Article 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), which caused grave consequences.

Earlier, the court of first instance refused to satisfy the military's complaint.

Preventive measure not imposed on Stakhiv for third time

For the third time, a preventive measure was not imposed on the scandalous activist Ostap Stakhiv, who is suspected of illegally disseminating locations of the Armed Forces and fraud.

He came to the court with his supporters, and together they harassed journalists who also came to the hearing. Stakhiv showed his pseudo-journalist's ID and compared himself to dissidents.

Host of the hromadske podcast mobilises to the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Serhii Chirkov, host of the hromadske literary podcast The Smell of the Word and stand-up comedian, has mobilised to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Before that, Serhii, together with the host, director of the Wild Theatre and volunteer Yaroslava Kravchenko, completed an obstacle course in the Third Assault Brigade. He is currently undergoing basic military training at the training centre, but it is not yet known in which brigade he will serve.

Peskov asks not to ‘excessively appeal’ to nuclear doctrine

Russian President's spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called for ‘not to appeal excessively’ to changes in nuclear doctrine that allow for a nuclear strike in response to a massive air attack on Russia, including by drones.

According to him, ‘the special operation (a Russian propaganda term used to avoid recognising the illegality of the invasion of Ukraine - ed.) is taking its course’, so there is no need to look for ‘coordination’ with the nuclear doctrine.

Charges filed in Poland over explosion of grenade launcher from Ukraine

Former Polish police chief Jaroslaw Szymczyk has been charged in connection with the explosion of a grenade launcher that was given to him by Ukrainian officials.

One of the charges against Szymczyk relates to the possession of an RGW90 grenade launcher without a licence, for which he faces six months to eight years in prison.

The second charge is related to unintentional endangerment of life and health of many people and property on a large scale, which can be punishable by up to five years in prison. Mr Szymczyk said he did not understand the charges and refused to comment on them.

Other news for the day

• Yermak: The victory plan will be presented to Ukrainians, but without some ‘secret provisions’.
• Kharkiv’ operational and tactical group: the Russians are firing with all possible weapons at the plant in Vovchansk, which was liberated by the units of the DIU.
• Boris Johnson names the possible cause of Queen Elizabeth II's death for the first time.
• Zelenskyy: The Ramstein meeting convened by Biden will be ‘special’.
• Sikorsky's deputy: Ukraine's EU accession talks will not move forward without exhumation of Volyn tragedy victims.