Ukrainian Soldier Suicides and Family Recognition Issues
There is no official data available regarding the number of Ukrainian soldiers who have died by suicide since the 2022 full-scale invasion. While over 45,000 soldiers have died in combat, human rights advocates and families of deceased soldiers suggest that the number of suicides may be in the hundreds. Official sources have characterized these incidents as isolated.
Individual Cases and Family Accounts
Orest's Case
Kateryna, mother of 25-year-old Orest (names changed for privacy), states that her son died in the eastern Donetsk region in 2023. The official military investigation concluded his death was due to a "self-inflicted wound." Kateryna has expressed difficulty in accepting this official report. Orest, who had impaired eyesight, was deemed unfit for service at the war's onset. However, in 2023, he was stopped by a recruitment patrol, re-evaluated, and subsequently deemed fit for combat. He was deployed as a communications specialist near Chasiv Yar. Kateryna states that Orest became withdrawn and depressed during his deployment.
Ukrainian military regulations classify suicide as a non-combat loss. This classification impacts the families of these soldiers, who do not receive military compensation, honors, or public recognition. Kateryna commented on this distinction, stating, "In Ukraine, it's as if we've been divided. Some died the right way, and others died the wrong way." She also claims a lack of state support and transparency following her son's death. The local recruitment center denied wrongdoing in Orest's conscription, stating his vision impairment made him "partially fit" during wartime.
Anatoliy's Case
Mariyana (name changed), from Kyiv, reported a similar situation involving her late husband, Anatoliy (name changed). Anatoliy volunteered for service in 2022 and was deployed as a machine-gunner near Bakhmut. Mariyana reported that Anatoliy described witnessing significant casualties, with approximately 50 soldiers killed in one mission. Following this, she observed a change in his demeanor, describing him as quiet and distant. After sustaining an arm injury, Anatoliy was hospitalized, where he subsequently died by suicide in the hospital yard. Due to the cause of death, he was denied a military burial. Mariyana expressed feelings of abandonment by the state and reported experiencing negative perceptions from other widows.
Andriy's Case
Viktoria (name changed), from Lviv, stated her husband, Andriy, joined the army despite a congenital heart condition. He served as a driver in a reconnaissance unit and participated in significant battles, including the liberation of Kherson. In June 2023, Viktoria was informed of Andriy's death by suicide. She received his body ten days later but was not permitted to view it. An attorney she hired identified inconsistencies in the initial investigation. The Ukrainian military has since acknowledged failures in the initial investigation and agreed to reopen the case.
Advocacy and Concerns
Oksana Borkun operates a support community for military widows, which includes approximately 200 families affected by soldier suicides. She observes a public perception that death by suicide disqualifies a soldier from being considered a hero. Borkun notes that some churches decline to hold funerals for these soldiers, and some towns do not include their photos on memorial walls. Many families in her community express doubts about the official explanations for the deaths, with some cases reportedly being closed too quickly. Borkun also mentioned instances where families reported discovering bruises on bodies upon opening coffins.
Father Borys Kutovyi, a military chaplain, has reported at least three suicides within his command since the full-scale invasion. He has stated his belief that recruited soldiers, compared to career servicemen, may possess greater psychological vulnerability. Both Borkun and Father Kutovyi advocate for soldiers who died by suicide to be recognized as heroes.
Official Response and Reform Efforts
Olha Reshetylova, Ukraine's Commissioner for Veterans' Rights, reports receiving up to four military suicide reports monthly. She acknowledges that current measures are insufficient. Reshetylova's office is advocating for systemic reforms, including the development of military psychology units, a process she states may require years to implement. She has emphasized the right of families to receive accurate information regarding their loved ones' deaths and expressed concerns about a lack of trust in investigators. Reshetylova also stated that in some instances, suicides could potentially mask homicides. She advocates for improved societal support for veterans, stating that a more welcoming environment could reduce future tragedies.