Vitaliy Saltan - Kropyvnytskyi -> Kamianske, 26.01-22.02.2026

Date 26.01.2026

Source note: official statements, media reports, eyewitness accounts, and social media claims are presented as claims by the respective sources. They are not treated as established facts without independent confirmation, forensic documents, or a court ruling.

Timeline

  • 26.01.2026 - 34-year-old Vitaliy Saltan was mobilized.
  • 28.01.2026 - he was already at the Skelia unit in Dnipropetrovsk region, registering new recruits at a distribution center.
  • ~30.01.2026 - he began feeling unwell and went to the unit medic.
  • 16.02.2026, night - he was hospitalized in Kamianske. Relatives said he was on oxygen in intensive care and was later placed on a ventilator.
  • 22.02.2026 - he died in intensive care from pneumonia.
  • 20.03.2026 - he was buried at the family's expense after two examinations and waiting for permission for a repeat autopsy.

Investigation and positions

Relatives believe medical assistance was delayed. Investigators in Kamianske opened proceedings under Article 115 of Ukraine's Criminal Code with the note "natural death."

Skelia told Suspilne that the regiment initiated a review of basic training conditions after pneumonia cases, and that the review found no violations by medical staff.

Fiancée

On 6 August 2026 Suspilne Zaporizhzhia reported what his fiancée Anastasiia Polieva said. She wanted to call the hotline so that Vitaliy would be taken to hospital.

"I say: 'Vitalik, I beg you,' I will call the hotline and complain that they are not taking you to hospital. And he tells me: 'Don't. If you call, you will make it even worse for me.'"

She said that in hospital he was put on a ventilator and that a week later, on 22 February, he died.

Sources

Primary sources

Additional publications