Death of Serviceman Serhiy Kuznetsov
On June 9, 42-year-old Serhiy Kuznetsov, a soldier from the 56th Separate Mariupol Motorized Infantry Brigade, passed away at a hospital in the capital. He had been receiving treatment at the Kyiv City Clinical Emergency Hospital since April after sustaining severe gunshot wounds on the front lines.
In response to the incident, law enforcement has initiated criminal proceedings under:
- Part 1 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (premeditated murder)
- Part 1 of Article 140 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (improper performance of professional duties by medical staff)
The announcement was made on June 13. A series of expert examinations have been ordered to determine the cause of Kuznetsov's death and to assess the quality of the medical care he received.
Hospital Inspection and Public Outcry
Separately, city authorities have nearly completed an inspection of the hospital and uncovered multiple violations. Investigators are continuing to review official statements from the hospital's director, Viktor Dorosh. The Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office has also opened two criminal cases related to the death of a man at a city hospital in January 2026 following mobilization procedures. The situation has sparked significant public concern, and an investigation is ongoing into the circumstances that led to this tragedy.
The death of Serhiy Kuznetsov has raised serious questions about the quality of medical services provided to Ukrainian servicemen, especially amid the ongoing conflict. Ensuring proper healthcare for soldiers wounded in combat highlights the urgent need for a deeper review of the country's health system—a review that could have policy implications. The continuing investigation reflects public demand for accountability and justice in cases involving medical errors or inadequate treatment.
The tragic death of Serhiy Kuznetsov is not an isolated incident, as it echoes concerns raised earlier this year regarding medical care following military conscription. In a similar case, two criminal investigations were launched after a man's death linked to actions by police and the military conscription office in Kyiv. This pattern of incidents underscores the pressing need for scrutiny of the healthcare system for servicemen. For more details on this earlier case, see the investigations initiated in Kyiv.