A photo shoot that ended in an explosion: a teenager found an RPG and accidentally shot his mother
In the frontline regions of Ukraine, where hostilities continue continuously, the number of accidents involving children and explosive objects is increasing. Remnants of weapons, ammunition, elements of military equipment often end up out of control – in green zones, on the outskirts of cities, in abandoned buildings. Often they look not as a threat, but as an interesting find, especially for teenagers who do not always understand the consequences. In Kharkiv, where combat risks have become part of everyday life, such incidents become particularly acute.
An extraordinary event with a teenager who found an RPG
The event that happened on August 26, 2024, could seem like a fragment of a disaster movie, but it became a very real drama for an ordinary Kharkiv family. A teenager, a native of Vovchansk, while walking in the Ecopark in Kharkiv, came across a bag with an RPG-22 grenade launcher in a ravine. He was not surprised by the combat content of the find. He did not call the police, did not notify security, did not leave the find in place, but decided to throw it into the trunk of the car that belonged to his mother.
In the evening of the same day, while at home, the boy decided to take a picture with the device. On the balcony of the apartment, holding an RPG on his shoulder, he asked his mother to take a picture. At that moment, his brother was also in the room. During the process of taking pictures, the teenager accidentally pulled the trigger. The shock wave injured the mother — the injuries were classified as serious. The brother received moderate injuries. After the incident, the young man called the police and an ambulance. During the court session, he admitted his guilt and stated that he intended to give the RPG to his stepfather.
In accordance with by sentence The Comintern district court of the city of Kharkiv, issued on April 9, took into account the boy’s sincere remorse, his age, and the absence of intentional actions and handed down a three-year suspended sentence. At the same time, the mother, despite her physical injuries, will have to pay court costs as the minor’s legal representative.
This incident became possible due to the availability of military items in the territories adjacent to the combat zone. Kharkiv, which has repeatedly suffered artillery and rocket attacks, contains numerous areas with limited control. Some of them, including eco-parks, ravines and abandoned areas, are places of accumulation of objects that pose a potential threat. The lack of systematic cleaning and monitoring of such areas makes it impossible to promptly identify and remove dangerous finds.
However, what is most surprising is the mother’s behavior, which indicates either a complete lack of critical perception of the situation, or a banal underestimation of the threat. In any case, her actions look at least unreasonable. Despite the obvious risk, she left the child alone with the device, which is designed to launch a munition with a warhead.
Recommendations for parents and children in cases of detection of weapons or suspicious objects
- Do not touch or move the object. In case of discovery of any object resembling a weapon, ammunition or technical device with signs of military purpose, the child must immediately stop any contact with it. Explain to the child that even an outwardly harmless object can pose a deadly threat.
- Notify adults and immediately call the police or emergency services. The task of the parents is to form a clear skill in the child: when discovering a suspicious object, he should not act on his own, but should inform an adult, and the adult should call the emergency services on 101 or 102. If parents are not sure of the nature of the object, they should not touch it either.
- Do not carry the item home, in the car or to the educational institution. Explain to your child that even if an item appears to be inactive or “outdated,” it is strictly prohibited to carry it into any enclosed space. This poses a risk to life not only for the child, but also for the environment.
- Teach the child not to show the object on social networks or to friends. The reaction of peers and attempts to show off the “find” can lead to injuries or criminal liability. The child must clearly know: to find does not mean to show off. At the same time, you should never hide the fact of discovering suspicious objects from parents or teachers.
- Talk to the child about responsibility and consequences. Parents should regularly explain that even casual handling of weapons can lead to real-life injuries, deaths, and criminal penalties, even if the actions were not intentional. Real-life examples are the best way to build awareness.
- Set an example of correct behavior. If the child sees that the parents are indifferent to danger, take pictures with military objects, transport them in the trunk or ignore the basic rules, he adopts this model of behavior. Personal vigilance of parents is the most effective prevention.
- In case of doubt, contact specialists. If parents do not know how to act when an unknown device is detected, it is best not to touch the object, not to panic and call specialized services. It is important that the child also knows this logic of actions.
