Brigade begins investigation into soldier, hromadske host Serhiy Hnezdilov going AWOL

The Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade (SMIB) No. 53, where Serhiy Hnezdilov, host of the "++ Podcast" on Hromadske serves, ordered an official investigation and announced that the serviceman "committed actions that contain signs of a crime."

This refers to Hnezdilov going absent from his unit without official leave, reports Suspilne, citing the brigade's press office.

"SMIB No. 53 serviceman Serhiy Hnezdilov committed actions that contain signs of a crime outlined in part 5 of Article 407 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (leaving a military unit or place of service by a serviceman without official leave under martial law). Accordingly, an official investigation has been ordered and all legal procedural actions are being carried out," the brigade said.

Serhiy Hnezdilov. Photo by Serhiy Hnezdilov on Facebook

On September 21, Serhiy Hnezdilov wrote on Facebook that he had left his unit unauthorized to draw attention to the need to establish a service period for conscripts.

Serhiy Hnezdilov is a Ukrainian serviceman, public activist and participant in the Russo-Ukrainian war. He volunteered for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2019, taking an academic leave from studying at the Journalism Department of the Lviv Polytechnic University.

Hnezdilov has taken part in battles in Donetsk oblast, including Pisky and Bakhmut. He is the founder of the cultural festival "VydelkaFest" in his hometown Vylkove in Odesa oblast, and hosts the "++ Podcast" on Hromadske, where he interviews soldiers and discusses the militarization of the society.