They planned to abduct a serviceman and stir up public outrage: SBU identifies nearly 100 people involved in the unrest

Security Service of Ukraine has identified around 100 people who actively took part in the unrest that broke out on November 2, 2026, in the village of Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, near Kyiv. Law enforcement officers are already conducting searches and are considering whether to detain some of those involved and formally notify them that they are suspects. This was announced by Ivan Rudnytskyi, Deputy Head of the SBU, at a briefing on November 3, 2026.

According to him, SBU investigators and operational units are working with the National Police, the leadership of the National Guard, and the prosecution authorities, which oversee the criminal proceedings. Rudnytskyi said that the events in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka were not a spontaneous action. According to investigators, the organizers had planned it in advance, and its main purpose was to abduct one of the servicemen of the National Guard of Ukraine. The SBU representative said the organizers used manipulation and fraudulent tactics to carry out their plan, and also sought to provoke widespread public attention in order to involve as many people as possible.

“A few words about the main organizers of this crime. I can confirm that they planned this action, and their sole aim was to abduct one of the National Guard servicemen. To do so, they resorted to various forms of manipulation and individual acts of fraud, and also intended to attract a certain amount of public attention to the event so that others would join in,” said Ivan Rudnytskyi.

According to the Deputy Head of the SBU, the actions of the alleged organizers were documented and stopped. Investigative measures, including searches, are currently underway. Authorities are considering detaining the identified participants and formally notifying them that they are suspects. In connection with the events, the SBU has opened criminal proceedings under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Article 114-1 — obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a special period.
• Article 114-2 — unauthorized dissemination of information about the deployment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations established under Ukrainian law.

In addition, authorities decided to join these proceedings with another criminal case previously investigated by the National Police under Article 294 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — mass riots. The investigation therefore covers three criminal-law classifications.

The events in question took place on November 2 near a private house in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka. After reports spread on social media alleging that people were being unlawfully held at the building, members of the public gathered there. The standoff escalated into clashes, during which property was damaged and shots were fired.

According to the available information, the house was being used as a temporary location for National Guard of Ukraine servicemen who had been returned to their unit after going absent without leave. Following the incident, four servicemen were taken to hospital.

Separately, the State Bureau of Investigation opened criminal proceedings into possible abuse of power or official authority by a military official, under Part 5 of Article 426-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Investigators are to establish the circumstances surrounding the servicemen’s presence in the house and examine reports that coercion may have been used against them.

According to Ivan Rudnytskyi, the situation in Kyiv and the surrounding region is currently under control and calm.

Previously, we reported:

• She bought an ambulance and posed as a medic—woman detained in the “hostage” scandal in Kyiv region
• SBI investigates possible abuse of authority after clashes near Kyiv
• Attempted storming and gunfire caught on video: protest outside an alleged “prison” near Kyiv
• Clashes near a house outside Kyiv: police deny reports of hostages
• Abduction, nighttime raid, and gunfire at servicemen: two accounts of the SBU–HUR conflict