19-year-old Russian conscript dies four days into service term, prompting criminal negligence investigation

Military officials in Russia’s Far East are investigating the death of a 19-year-old conscript just four days into his term of service, according to the news outlet RBC. The 318th Military Investigative Department in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is treating Danila Minyailo’s death as a case of aggravated criminal negligence. 

According to the Telegram channel Ostorozhno, Novosti, Minyailo began his service on July 4 and was hospitalized four days later with third-degree dehydration and fourth-degree heat stroke that had caused breathing difficulties. He fell into a coma and died the same day.

Minyailo’s relatives told journalists that he had no serious illnesses, although a cardiologist had advised against physical exertion. Military recruiters designated him as fit for full duty. According to fellow servicemen, conscripts were “subjected to physical training in temperatures of +35°C [95°F], without water or rest” for several days. 

Military officials told the family that Minyailo’s death occurred due to an “accident.”