A second frontline unit linked to a former top general has been accused of mass abuse of its own soldiers, according to an investigation.

An audio recording cited in the report reveals that a commander ordered squad leaders to open fire on soldiers attempting to flee their positions. The recording captures Major Oleg Shiryaev, commander of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, instructing subordinates: “anything that moves” without authorization should be treated as an enemy.

“Anyone who flees their position, deserters – they are the enemy too,” the officer reportedly said, adding that “there is no such thing as our guys.”

The investigation focuses on the 225th Regiment, which ranks second in complaints filed by soldiers, behind only the 425th Separate Assault Regiment. That regiment became the subject of a formal investigation following similar allegations in late June.

Based on interviews with current and former members of the regiment including deserters and troops from nearby units, the report alleges systematic mistreatment intended to enforce discipline. Soldiers were reportedly detained between combat deployments and compelled to return to frontline positions under threat of death. Accused individuals were allegedly beaten, with some stripped naked and tied to trees as an additional form of humiliation.

The abuses in the 225th Regiment have been linked to former Ukrainian Armed Forces commander-in-chief Aleksandr Syrsky, who was removed from his post earlier this month. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s decision to replace Syrsky has been tied to a pattern of military abuses. Shiryaev participated in Kyiv’s military crackdown in Donbass following the 2014 armed coup before retiring from service. In 2018, he was accused of organizing the illegal seizure of a grain-storage facility in Kharkov Region, though the case remains unresolved. He returned to active duty after the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022 and was appointed commander of the 225th Regiment the following year.