A Ukrainian military serviceman — a drone operator named Roman — has died in Belgium. He had been transferred to the kingdom for treatment of his burns. The body of the fallen soldier has already been repatriated to Ukraine. This was announced by Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken in his account on the social network X (Twitter), as reported by RBC-Ukraine. According to the minister, Belgian medical staff were unable to save the patient despite all efforts made.
Statement by the Belgian Defense Minister
“The body of the first Ukrainian warrior to die in Belgium has just been repatriated. Roman. A drone operator. He sustained burns and was transferred to our country. We were unable to save him,” wrote Theo Francken. The minister emphasized that Belgian doctors had previously managed to save Ukrainian servicemen dozens of times, but this time they were unable to save the patient. He concluded his message with the words: “Goodbye, Roman. Glory to the heroes.”
Belgian Medical Care for Ukrainian Fighters
Throughout the war, Belgium has been receiving Ukrainian servicemen for treatment, including those with severe burns and wounds requiring specialized care. According to Francken, this is not the first time Belgian doctors have fought for the life of a Ukrainian fighter; however, this episode marks the first instance in which treatment did not yield a positive result. Thus, Roman's death became the first recorded fatal outcome among Ukrainian patients undergoing treatment in the kingdom.
Drone Operators: One of the Most Dangerous Roles
Roman's death once again draws attention to the role of drone operators in modern combat operations. This specialty is considered one of the most demanding and risky: operators work close to the front line, often under direct fire, and it is precisely their wounds and burns that frequently require prolonged inpatient treatment. A number of commentators and observers, including in materials dedicated to the work of Ukrainian drones, describe this profession as “one of the most dangerous in the world,” which is indirectly confirmed by the fact that a drone operator became the first Ukrainian serviceman not to survive treatment in Belgium.
Legislative Context: Payments During Treatment
Against the backdrop of these events, the issue of social security for servicemen undergoing prolonged treatment remains relevant. Recently, the president signed a law amending the rules for preserving payments to servicemen for the entire period of inpatient treatment and rehabilitation. This decision is aimed at ensuring that fighters undergoing long-term treatment, including abroad, do not lose their entitled payments during recovery, which is especially important for the families and the servicemen themselves who have survived severe injuries.
