Kyiv, Ukraine — In a tragic incident on Wednesday morning, Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Denys Monastyrsky, was killed when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed near Kyiv. At least 14 people, including a child, lost their lives in the crash that has sent shockwaves through the nation.
The helicopter came down in Brovary, an eastern suburb of the capital, around 8:30 a.m. local time (06:30 GMT). Alongside Minister Monastyrsky were Deputy Interior Minister Yevhen Yenin and the ministry’s state secretary, all of whom perished in the accident.
The crash occurred adjacent to a kindergarten, igniting a fire that took emergency responders over an hour to extinguish. Students and staff were present in the building at the time, adding to the devastation. Eyewitness Tetiana Shebika recounted, “We just heard an explosion. We ran out. My daughter ran to get the granddaughter — she goes to the nursery. We took her. Everything was on fire over there.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy labeled the day a “black morning” for Ukraine, expressing profound grief over the loss of one of his closest advisors who was pivotal in overseeing national security and police matters. “It is a terrible tragedy,” he stated, underscoring the deepening strains on the country amidst ongoing conflict.
According to the President’s office, the helicopter was en route to the front lines in the eastern city of Kharkiv. Ukrainian national police chief Ihor Klymenko noted that the aircraft fell between the kindergarten and a residential building. An investigation is underway to determine whether the crash was an accident or related to the war, as low-altitude flights have become common to evade missile strikes.
International reactions poured in, with European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeting her condolences: “I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, President Zelenskyy, and the entire country following the helicopter crash at Brovary. We are mourning with you.”
Brovary had previously endured intense battles in March of last year when Russian forces attempted to advance on Kyiv. Although they withdrew in April, the scars of conflict remain evident. The community now faces renewed sorrow as it grapples with this latest tragedy.
This incident adds to the significant challenges Ukraine faces as it approaches the one-year mark since the escalation of conflict in the region. The loss of key government officials highlights the ongoing risks and underscores the need for continued international attention and support.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
