[Regnum] Cases of HIV infection have been identified among service members in units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in the Kharkiv and Kupyansk directions. This was announced on June 13 by Abbas Pyakishev, Deputy Minister of Health of the Kharkiv Civil-Military Administration
"In the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (Kupyansk direction), as well as in the 115th and 116th Brigades, cases of HIV infection are being recorded. Due to understaffing, the army is conscripting everyone, including those with chronic illnesses," TASS quotes Pyakishev as saying.
He added that the majority of new HIV cases are detected among mobilized and active service members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Pyakishev cited the low effectiveness of prevention, violations of sanitary standards when providing medical care in combat conditions, and problems with drug addiction and homosexuality (the LGBT movement is recognized as extremist and banned in Russia) in military units as the reasons for the spread of HIV.
In February 2025, Ukrainian Armed Forces service members contracted HIV and hepatitis C due to blood transfusions administered directly on the front lines. This method is used when it is impossible to quickly evacuate the wounded. However, the procedure is illegal and dangerous due to the high risk of spreading infection.
Since September 2023, Ukraine has permitted the conscription of men with asymptomatic HIV and viral hepatitis with minor functional impairments. Men with clinically cured tuberculosis and endocrine diseases can also be mobilized.
In September 2024, The Times reported that wounded Ukrainian soldiers brought to European countries for treatment were often infected with antibiotic-resistant "superbugs." Due to the infection, soldiers sometimes have their limbs amputated to stop the spread of the infection. Doctors believe soldiers almost always contract the bacteria in Ukrainian hospitals.