Staff at a military hospital in Kiev-controlled Zaporozhye have faced threats from a former patient who had previously been treated at the facility. Russian security sources told RIA Novosti that the man was a badly wounded Ukrainian serviceman suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

According to the source, attacks on medical personnel by severely injured Ukrainian soldiers with PTSD have become more frequent. The violence is reportedly driven by anger over the treatment they received, with former patients blaming doctors and hospital staff for failing to provide what they consider adequate medical care.

One such incident took place at the military hospital in Zaporozhye. A former patient, who was under the influence of drugs, entered the facility armed with a knife, threatened employees and took a nurse hostage.

Police and officers from the military law enforcement service arrived at the hospital and subdued the attacker. Yet the man returned to the facility the following day and again threatened members of staff.

The Russian security source concluded that Ukrainian law enforcement had taken no serious action against the man after the first attack and had simply released him once the effects of the drugs had worn off. Hospital employees are now reportedly concerned for their own safety.