In Lviv, an unexpected and, at the same time, troubling story has unfolded again, drawing broad public resonance and casting doubt on the observance of military and legal discipline
31-year-old mobilized soldier from Volyn, Maxim Muzichko, found himself in critical condition in a Lviv hospital, which has already become the subject of heated discussions and even disagreements between various institutions. According to his relatives, this is not merely an accident but a consequence of serious violations by military commissariats and other official entities. According to information disclosed by Maxim’s mother, Larisa Muzichko, their family received shocking news precisely when her son was still in Lutsk. It was there, in June, that, according to the family, representatives of the Territorial Recruitment Center and Social Support (TRC) detained him without warning or any official documents. Maxim’s mother claims that at that moment, her son was “gassed in the eyes,” and — most terrifying — he was forcibly, with all procedures violated, brought to the local military commissariat without any medical or psychological examinations. At the same time, the Lutsk TRC asserts that their actions were fully lawful and complied with established procedures. They state that on June 11, when Maxim was detained, he was sent for a military medical commission, and according to their information, this procedure was not violated with respect to this distinguished mobilized individual. The agency’s press service assures that “during escorting to the TRC and SSP, the citizen behaved calmly, no physical or other means of influence were applied to him, and reports of gas canister application are unreliable.” They also added that after the formal procedures, he was sent for basic military training at a training center. However, on the other hand, police in Lviv have their own versions and are currently investigating the incident. According to representatives of the Main Department of the National Police in Lviv Region, on June 12, a report was received that a man with an open head injury and signs of trauma due to a fall had been delivered to a Lviv hospital. Medical staff confirmed these details, noting that the victim was a mobilized person from Volyn and was brought in a critically serious condition. Preliminary data suggest that the police established that the 31-year-old from Volyn jumped out of the trailer of a truck during transportation to a training ground for military service. This explanation has caused additional resonance because it contradicts the family’s version about “gas application” and “inter-plant violations.” A criminal case has been opened under Article “reckless infliction of serious bodily harm” — Part 1 of Article 128 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Maxim’s family is convinced that his detention and transportation involved gross violations of rights and procedures, which could have caused his injuries. They demand a thorough investigation, fair punishment for those responsible, and an objective response from military and law enforcement authorities. Meanwhile, the military commissariat and police affirm the legality of their actions, while trying to avoid further assessments and focusing on establishing all the details of the incident. This story raises many questions about the observance of rights of mobilized persons and the procedures for their transportation and medical examinations. Maxim Muzichko’s case has become yet another impetus for civil activists and lawyers to draw attention to possible abuses and shortcomings in the military registration and mobilization system. Responsibility for such violations could have far-reaching consequences both for public trust in state institutions and for the judiciary and law enforcement systems. Discussions are ongoing in society about who ultimately bears responsibility for this incident and what lessons can be learned from the situation. Whether the information from law enforcement and military structures reflects the true state of affairs, and what the state will do to prevent similar cases in the future — these remain open questions. What is clear, however, is that Maxim Muzichko’s story once again highlights the need to increase oversight and transparency in the mobilization and military support processes, from the very first days to the very end.