A soldier serving in the Special Destination Battalion Fulger was fatally shot during a training exercise on August 25. According to the Ministry of Defence, Pvt Iurie Pantea, 18, got shot at the Bulboaca Military Base. The soldier received first medical aid immediately after the accident, and then was taken to hospital where he died during surgery. Preliminary investigations show that a live cartridge was among the blanks used during the training exercise. The Chisinau Prosecutor’s Office initiated criminal proceedings and investigations into the case. In addition, a special committee of the Defence Ministry is conducting a service investigation into the circumstances of the accident. Several months ago a civilian was shot to death during similar military exercises at the same shooting range. Later, the then Minister of Defence Valeriu Plesca was dismissed.