Amid Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia, a distressing report sheds light on soldiers who have died by suicide, facing societal stigma and official neglect, with families denied compensation and honors, underscoring a profound mental health crisis.
The article, based on investigations by the BBC, reveals that there are no official statistics on how many Ukrainian soldiers have taken their own lives, but estimates suggest the numbers could be in the hundreds. This hidden tragedy contrasts with the public mourning for over 45,000 combat deaths since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
One heartrending case is that of Kateryna, whose son Orest was a 25-year-old book lover with poor eyesight. In 2023, he was stopped by a recruitment patrol, re-evaluated as fit, and sent to the front as a communications specialist. He died in Donetsk region, with the army ruling it a ‘self-inflicted wound,’ a conclusion his mother disputes. Kateryna’s grief is compounded by the classification of suicide as a non-combat loss, meaning no compensation, military honors, or public recognition. ‘Some died the right way, and others died the wrong way,’ she says, capturing the division felt by families.
Similarly, Mariyana from Kyiv recounts her husband Anatoliy, who volunteered in 2022 and served as a machine-gunner near Bakhmut. After witnessing heavy casualties and losing part of his arm, he was hospitalized and took his own life. Because his death was by suicide, officials denied him a military burial. Mariyana feels betrayed, stating, ‘The state threw me to the roadside,’ and she faces stigma even from other widows.
Another story involves Viktoria from Lviv, whose husband Andriy had a heart condition but insisted on joining the army. He served in a reconnaissance unit and died by suicide in June 2023. Viktoria was barred from seeing his body, and an attorney found inconsistencies in the investigation. She is now fighting to reopen the case, saying, ‘My war isn’t over,’ as she seeks truth and recognition for her husband.
Support communities have emerged, such as the one run by Oksana Borkun, which includes about 200 families bereaved by suicide. Borkun notes that societal attitudes often deem these soldiers as not heroes, with some churches refusing funerals and towns excluding them from memorials. Many families doubt official explanations, with some discovering bruises on bodies, raising suspicions of cover-ups.
Military chaplain Father Borys Kutovyi has witnessed at least three suicides in his command and believes that recruited soldiers, unlike career servicemen, are psychologically vulnerable. He and Borkun argue that those who died by suicide should be considered heroes, emphasizing that every suicide represents a systemic failure.
Olha Reshetylova, Ukraine’s Commissioner for Veterans’ Rights, reports receiving up to four suicide cases monthly and acknowledges insufficient support. She is pushing for reforms, including better military psychology units, but admits change takes time. Reshetylova stresses that families have a right to the truth and that suicides might sometimes mask murders, highlighting the need for thorough investigations.
The report calls for a shift in how Ukraine honors all its fallen soldiers, advocating for inclusive recognition and improved mental health care to prevent further tragedies. As the war continues, the stories of these forgotten soldiers and their families underscore the long-lasting psychological scars of conflict, demanding urgent attention and compassion from both the state and society.
