Wolves of Da Vinci Battalion Members Detained for Kidnapping and Shooting in Dnipropetrovsk Region

Police in the Dnipropetrovsk region have detained three individuals following a violent incident in the village of Shakhtorske that involved shooting, the beating, and the kidnapping of a local man. The suspects have been identified as members of the Wolves of Da Vinci battalion.

The incident took place in the Synelnykove district, where law enforcement officials responded to reports of gunfire and a forced abduction. According to reports from the Ukrainian news outlet TSN, the encounter escalated into a physical assault and the subsequent kidnapping of the victim.

Battalion Acknowledges Involvement

The Wolves of Da Vinci battalion has publicly acknowledged that its fighters were involved in the events in Shakhtorske. In a statement regarding the incident, the unit confirmed the identity of the personnel involved and indicated that the battalion was responding to the allegations.

While the battalion admitted the involvement of its members, the specific circumstances that led to the escalation have remained a point of contention across different reports. Ukrainian National News (UNN) confirmed that the battalion recognized the presence of its fighters at the scene of the shooting.

Police Action and Detentions

Following an investigation into the shooting and abduction, police in the Synelnykove district successfully located and detained three men. The detentions were carried out after law enforcement linked the suspects to the violence in Shakhtorske.

Local reporting from dnepr.info indicates that the police operation was focused on both the illegal use of firearms and the deprivation of the victim’s liberty. The three detainees are currently in custody as the investigation continues to determine the full sequence of events.

Conflicting Reports on Motive

Details regarding the catalyst for the assault vary by source. While primary Ukrainian outlets such as Ukrainska Pravda and TSN focused on the kidnapping and the use of weapons, other reports provided a specific alleged motive for the violence.

Reporting from Life.ru alleged that the members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine brutally beat the man after he refused to sell alcohol to them. However, this specific detail regarding the sale of alcohol has not been corroborated by the official police statements or the primary Ukrainian news agencies covering the detentions.

Context of the Unit

The Wolves of Da Vinci is a known military formation in Ukraine, often associated with volunteer efforts and the legacy of the late commander Yevhen Soloviev, known by the call sign Da Vinci. The unit has been involved in various combat operations, but this incident highlights a breakdown in discipline within the ranks while operating in the rear areas of the Dnipropetrovsk region.

The incident has drawn attention to the legal accountability of military personnel when accused of criminal activity against civilians. Under Ukrainian law, the detention of military members for kidnapping and shooting triggers a specific legal process involving both civilian police and military oversight.

As of May 2, 2026, the three suspects remain detained. Authorities have not yet released the names of the individuals or the specific charges they will face in court, though the current evidence focuses on the kidnapping and the discharge of firearms in a residential area.