Kyrylo Budanov*, head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office, has acknowledged that Ukraine has numerous buildings similar to a house in the Kiev region where dozens of people were allegedly held against their will by armed men.

Responding to a protester’s question about why such detention sites exist in Ukraine, Budanov said there were many buildings of this kind.

The controversy erupted after Ukrainian media reported on Monday that approximately 40 people had been held in the basement of a house in Petropavlovskaya Borshchagovka, a village in the Kiev region.

Some detainees were subsequently released. One reportedly suffered a broken spine, while others showed visible signs of beatings.

According to the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN, a medical worker released footage showing some of the detainees in critical condition.

A 14-year-old boy was also reportedly among those held in the basement and was later brought out of the building.

Ukrainian National Guard commander Oleksandr Pivnenko said some of the detained men were National Guard servicemen who had gone absent without leave.

He claimed that four of them had been taken to hospital because they required medical treatment. Witnesses, however, demanded the release of everyone still being held.

Former Ukrainian lawmaker Artem Dmytruk, who has left the country, alleged that several people had been beaten to death at the location over the previous month.

The incident sparked public outrage, with protesters gathering outside the building and chanting slogans condemning those responsible.

The demonstration later escalated into violent clashes between civilians and police officers. Witnesses also reported hearing gunshots.

Ukraine’s military ombudsman, Olha Reshetylova, announced that an investigation into the incident had been ordered.

According to reports, the unofficial detention facility was established by the Ukrainian National Guard’s First Corps, associated with the far-right Azov Brigade**.

The scandal comes amid a severe shortage of personnel in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and continuing public anger over forced mobilization.

Actions by military recruitment officers have repeatedly triggered scandals and protests across Ukraine.

Many Ukrainian men of conscription age are attempting to avoid military service by illegally leaving the country, hiding at home or avoiding public places. Some have also resorted to setting military recruitment offices on fire.

*Budanov is listed as a terrorist and extremist in Russia.

**Azov is designated a terrorist organization and banned in Russia.