Unexploded Grenade Found Inside Soldier's Body During Autopsy.

Live Grenade Discovered During Military Autopsy

According to TSN.ua: During a post-mortem examination at the Chernivtsi Regional Bureau of Forensic Medicine, a live grenade was discovered inside the body of a deceased soldier. The explosive device was found embedded under the skin in the area of the right thigh. This marks the first known instance of a grenade being found inside a human body. Sappers, called in to respond to the detonation threat, safely removed the ordnance and destroyed it at a specialized testing range.

Heightened Body Inspection Protocols Implemented

In response to this incident, the procedure for examining bodies returned from prisoner exchanges has been significantly tightened. This decision follows the dangerous discovery made during the autopsy. As expert Viktor Bachynskyi noted:

“When the expert began the autopsy… and reached the limb and started to cut it, he found an unexploded grenade under the skin.” - Viktor Bachynskyi

This case occurred following a prisoner exchange with Russia that took place on March 5. A previous exchange had secured the return of 200 Ukrainian defenders. By the end of 2025, it is known that Russian forces have executed 337 Ukrainian prisoners of war. The morgue staff were evacuated due to the risk of explosion, highlighting the extreme dangers faced by medical personnel in a war zone. This incident underscores the brutal and unconventional hazards of the ongoing conflict.

The discovery of a grenade inside a soldier's body illustrates the severe risks confronting not only military personnel but also the medical examiners tasked with their autopsies. It also demonstrates the critical importance of enhanced screening for bodies returned from exchanges, as the safety of all personnel involved must be the top priority. This situation points to the necessity for continuous monitoring and refinement of procedures to prevent similar dangerous occurrences in the future.