The commander of a Ukrainian army unit accused of subjecting soldiers to abuse including mock crucifixions is facing corruption charges after allegedly ordering troops to build him a house.

Colonel Oleh Poberezhniuk, the commander of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of taking four soldiers from their duties to do construction work for his new home in the Khmelnytskyi region in autumn 2023.

The troops were reported to have received a combat bonus while working on the building.

Col Poberezhniuk was charged with abuse of power and later released after bail of £17,300 was posted, Ukrainian media said.

The prosecutor’s office did not specify whether Col Poberezhniuk allegedly paid the bail or if it was paid for him.