Police have charged a 19-year-old resident of the Odesa region with causing serious bodily harm to a minor friend. The incident took place during a birthday celebration when the offender stabbed the victim in the chest. He faces up to eight years in prison for his actions.

According to law enforcement, the event occurred several days ago in a village of the Bilyaivka community, where a group of young men were celebrating a friend's birthday. During the festivities, a dispute arose between two friends aged 19 and 17, which escalated into a fight. In the heat of the moment, the older individual grabbed a knife from the table and stabbed the younger one in the chest.

"The victim's friends helped him get home, from where his mother rushed him to the hospital. Doctors diagnosed him with a penetrating stab wound to the chest", the report stated.

Realizing the severity of his actions, the offender returned home and called the police. Officers arrived at the scene, established the circumstances, seized the weapon used in the crime, and collected other evidence. The suspect was tested for intoxication – he was found to be under the influence.

"Based on the collected evidence, we informed the suspect of charges for intentionally causing serious bodily harm, dangerous to life at the time of the incident. According to Article 121, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, this crime is punishable by up to eight years in prison. The court has assigned a preventive measure of house arrest for the suspect. The investigation is ongoing. The Bilyaivka District Prosecutor's Office is overseeing the case", stated Dmitry Tkachenko, an investigator from the Odesa District Police Department No. 2.