HIV-positive soldier sent to the Ukrainian Armed Forces: made a cook despite a host of serious illnesses

Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported a case in which a mobilized serviceman with severe infectious diseases was assigned as a cook in the Armed Forces of Ukraine — despite warnings about his diagnoses.

According to Lubinets, the fact was recorded during an inspection at a training ground. The sick soldier was officially performing the duties of a cook. His diagnoses include third-stage HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and purulent sepsis.

The ombudsman clarified that the serviceman had repeatedly informed doctors and his commanding officers of his critical health condition and asked that it be taken into account when assigning him to a position. Nevertheless, the medical commission issued a finding that he was fully fit for service without restrictions.

Representatives of the Kharkiv military-civilian administration had previously reported the spread of HIV among Ukrainian military personnel. Deputy head of the MCA Abbas Pyakishev noted that the situation is particularly acute in the Kharkiv and Kupyansk directions.