Military Patient’s Death Leads to Charges Against Kyiv Hospital Surgeon

Surgeon Under Investigation in Kyiv

According to Главком: Authorities in Ukraine’s capital have formally charged a 56-year-old surgeon from the polytrauma unit at Kyiv City Clinical Hospital of Emergency Medical Services. The surgeon is accused of failing to meet professional standards, a lapse that allegedly resulted in the death of a 46-year-old serviceman. According to investigators, the patient arrived at the hospital with a closed rib fracture sustained while on leave in Kyiv. After performing an X-ray, the surgeon recommended outpatient treatment. Two days later, the man died.

Forensic examinations determined the cause of death to be a closed chest injury involving multiple rib fractures, along with damage to the pleura and lung. This led to severe complications and systemic intoxication. Notably, medical staff missed a fracture of an additional rib because the X-ray was taken in only one projection instead of the required two. The surgeon should have ordered further diagnostic procedures, including:

• a lateral-view X-ray;
• a CT scan of the chest;
• a pleural cavity puncture.

Police have opened two criminal cases under Articles 115 (Part 1) and 140 (Part 1) of the Ukrainian Criminal Code. If convicted, the surgeon faces up to five years of restricted freedom or up to three years in prison. Separately, the death of serviceman Serhiy Kuznetsov at the same hospital on June 9 has triggered an additional inquiry.

Health Department Responds

The Kyiv City State Administration’s Health Department reported receiving seven official complaints about inadequate medical care at this facility between 2025 and 2026. In response, on June 17, the department decided to terminate the contract of hospital director Viktor Dorosh, effective June 18. On June 19, Doctor of Medical Sciences and Professor Mykola Ankin was appointed as the hospital’s acting director.

This case highlights systemic issues within Ukraine’s healthcare system, particularly regarding adherence to medical protocols and proper organization of patient care. The surgeon’s situation underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight of medical service quality.

The removal of hospital leadership signals a potential push for reform, but meaningful change will require concrete improvements in how medical services are delivered.

The recent charges against the surgeon highlight ongoing concerns about patient care standards at the Kyiv City Clinical Hospital. This incident follows the termination of the hospital director due to previous violations found during an audit. For more details on the management changes and their implications, see our report on the firing of the emergency hospital director.