Officials from the “Skelya” brigade have asserted that timely medical assistance was provided to soldiers following recent pneumonia-related fatalities within their ranks. This statement comes in response to concerns raised about the health conditions of personnel.
A representative from the brigade emphasized, “It is absurd to suggest that pneumonia is linked to service in the ‘Skelya’ brigade. All sick individuals received prompt medical care, and there have been no complaints regarding our medical staff from any inspections. We initiated these inspections ourselves to evaluate our medical services and treatment facilities. Losing personnel to illness is a significant loss for us, and we did not want to see anyone suffer from disease.”
Families of soldiers diagnosed with pneumonia have reportedly contacted law enforcement agencies regarding their concerns. The brigade’s management also addressed the case of Vitaliy Saltan, a soldier who died from pneumonia, clarifying that he passed away in a medical facility and not within the military unit.
According to the brigade, “Vitaliy died six days after being evacuated from the military unit. He was admitted to the hospital in satisfactory condition, and the evacuation was conducted in a timely manner. Medical staff diagnosed his condition promptly.”
Additionally, the brigade noted that other fatalities among soldiers involved pre-existing health issues, including cases linked to substance abuse.
Vitaliy Saltan, a 34-year-old serviceman from Kropyvnytskyi, was mobilized on January 26 and died in the hospital on February 22. After his mobilization, he underwent training with the 425th “Skelya” brigade in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Dnipropetrovsk region. Shortly after, he developed symptoms including a cough and fever, eventually leading to hospitalization. Family members have expressed concerns that military personnel delayed his transfer to a medical facility, stating that by the time he was brought in, his condition had severely deteriorated, making it difficult for him to breathe.
The cause of death has been attributed by military and medical personnel to pneumonia resistant to most antibiotics. However, family members dispute this explanation, insisting on the need for a second autopsy to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
The management of the 'Skelya' brigade has defended its medical response following pneumonia-related deaths among soldiers, asserting timely care was provided. Families of affected servicemen have raised concerns about the adequacy of medical assistance and are calling for further investigation into the circumstances of these fatalities.