In Bukovina, the body of the second cadet from the Border Guard Academy has been found in a week: the number of tragic incidents among young military personnel is increasing
Sad news has come from Chernivtsi Region – on Saturday, April 19, the body of another cadet from the Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service was discovered. This is the second case in the past week where a young military student tragically lost his life. According to official information, law enforcement officers found the deceased with signs of a gunshot wound, indicating a possible suicide, but the case is still under investigation. Source: Julia Shevchenko, spokeswoman of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the Defense Sector of the Western Region, confirmed to the "Suspilne Khmelnytskyi" TV channel that this incident is being considered as a suicide. She stated that preliminary data indicates that around 6:20 PM on April 19, a 19-year-old cadet from Khmelnytskyi, who was serving in the area of responsibility of the Chernivtsi Border Detachment, committed a tragic incident using a firearm that he was armed with and had for duty. Initial reports suggest that the young serviceman shot himself in the head. The question of opening a criminal proceeding with the note "suicide" is currently being decided. This tragedy is unfolding against the background of another similar incident that occurred in Khmelnytskyi two days earlier. On April 17, the body of a 20-year-old cadet from the National Academy of the State Border Guard Service was found, also with signs of a gunshot wound. These two tragic cases raise numerous questions about the psychological state of young servicemen, conditions of service, and the level of support provided by the academy. Medical professionals, law enforcement officers, and academy leadership are now collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses — the investigation is ongoing. Military officials are expressing outrage over the series of tragedies and emphasizing the need for more effective psychological support measures and prevention efforts among cadets. These events are causing a significant public reaction and raising questions about the mental and psychological health of young soldiers, psychological pressure, the internal climate within military institutions, and possible systemic shortcomings in training and supporting young personnel. Why the most recent graduates are likely training under stress and despair remains an open question. Investigative actions are ongoing, and additional details regarding the investigation and possible causes of this tragic series are expected to be released soon. One thing is clear — this series of deaths within military high-security training institutions causes deep concern and demands urgent measures for additional psychological support for students and a review of official and educational processes.