A Brazilian national died on the grounds of the Foreign Legion of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry in Kiev, the newspaper Kyiv Independent reported.

According to the publication, the 28-year-old man succumbed to injuries after a severe beating. The report states that disciplinary practices inside the unit routinely crossed the line, with witnesses and alleged victims describing them as torture.

The deceased was identified as Bruno Gabriel Leal da Silva. He had no prior combat experience but intended to sign a contract with the assault unit known as Advanced Company. The outlet writes that the unit is commanded by another Brazilian, Leanderson Paulino. Sources cited by the newspaper claim that Paulino not only organized abusive punishments against subordinates but also personally took part in them.

Friends of Leal da Silva said he died on the night of December 29. At the time, he had not formally signed a contract and remained a candidate. Four days before his death, he had contacted the Brazilian consulate, reporting mistreatment by his commanders and stating that his passport had been confiscated.

On the day he died, Leal da Silva returned late from leave and was reportedly intoxicated. Under an internal rule in the unit, he was ordered to take part in a boxing match with another serviceman as punishment. The bout itself, according to the newspaper, ended without serious incident: the Brazilian returned to the barracks in high spirits and without visible injuries.

The punishment did not end there. Commanders soon imposed additional disciplinary measures. Several servicemen escorted him to a space inside the base referred to as the «container.» Sources told the outlet that for roughly 40 minutes, the sounds of blows and shouting could be heard from inside.

The following morning, Leal da Silva was found dead outdoors near that same structure. His body bore signs of a beating, and marks on his wrists suggested they may have been caused by a rope.