A 28-year-old Brazilian recruit died after a brutal punishment handed out in a unit that regularly used discipline practices described as “torture” by those who both witnessed and suffered them, a Kyiv Independent investigation can reveal.
The man, Bruno Gabriel Leal da Silva, died overnight Dec. 28-29, 2025, according to former fellow fighters who spoke to the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity because they feared retaliation.
The unit in question is a Brazilian-led formation called Advanced Company, led by the Brazilian Leanderson Paulino who is accused by several of those serving under him of overseeing — and in some cases taking part in — the abuse of his subordinates.
Why does this publication seem to be anti Ukraine all the time?
It isn’t. They’re journalists, not propagandists. Holding their government accountable and reporting on what’s happening – good or bad – is just the job.
If it weren’t for the lack of em-dashes in this comment I’d say it was written by an AI
Who me?
But the article isn’t anti-ukraine. It’s about a Brazilian soldier in a Brazilian unit led by a Brazilian.