Police share video of city official setting off grenades at council meeting
Small-Town Government Meeting Turns Explosive as Deputy Tosses Grenades
Small-town government can often bring people into heated, violent exchanges that turn the process of democracy into emotional, angry, and occasionally profane moments. But the worst vituperative tangle at a town council or school board pales beside what took place in the Keretsky Village Council in Ukraine’s Western Zakarpattia region on Friday.
This is not a big city. Keretsky has about 4,000 people and is near the Hungarian border, according to the BBC.
On Friday, village officials were discussing the topic of raises for village leaders.
As the hot-button topic was being discussed, video posted to social media showed Deputy Serhiy Batryn, a member of Ukraine’s parliament, entering.
“May I speak?” he said, according to the New York Post. But he didn’t say a word on the topic.
Instead, he reached into the pockets of his coat and very deliberately tossed three hand grenades to the floor of the crowded meeting room.
WARNING: The video of the incident is graphic and may be disturbing to some people.
A local politician in Western Ukraine turned a village meeting into chaos Friday morning when he detonated 2 grenades, injuring 26 people … and it was live streamed on Facebook. pic.twitter.com/x4HO3qHrE0
— Doni (@DoniTheDon_) December 15, 2023
Amid the chaos and screaming, the Post said one woman called out, “I can’t walk!” in Ukrainian.
Police said 26 people were injured, six critically.
Batryn suffered what were termed grave injuries, according to the Associated Press, which said responders worked to save his life. Initial reports indicated he was killed.
Ukraine’s Security Service is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism, the Post reported.
No obvious connection to the war with Russia took place. Batryn is a member of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Servant of the People Party.
Local media reports indicated that Batryn was a political foe of village chief Mikhail Mushka.
Batryn had opposed giving Mushka a wartime raise and did not go along with others in grading Mushka’s performance on the job as satisfactory.
Batryn had been at the meeting prior to the incident, but left the room for several minutes before returning with the grenades.
The meeting was being live-streamed on Facebook.
The post Police Release Video of City Official Detonating Multiple Grenades During City Council Meeting appeared first on The Western Journal.
How did the small-town government meeting in Keretsky Village turn explosive?
H1>Small-Town Government Meeting Turns Explosive as Deputy Tosses Grenades
Small-town government can often bring people into heated, violent exchanges that turn the process of democracy into emotional, angry, and occasionally profane moments. But the worst vituperative tangle at a town council or school board pales beside what took place in the Keretsky Village Council in Ukraine’s Western Zakarpattia region on Friday. This is not a big city. Keretsky has about 4,000 people and is near the Hungarian border, according to the BBC. On Friday, village officials were discussing the topic of raises for village leaders. As the hot-button topic was being discussed, video posted to social media showed Deputy Serhiy Batryn, a member of Ukraine’s parliament, entering. “May I speak?” he said, according to the New York Post. But he didn’t say a word on the topic. Instead, he reached into the pockets of his coat and very deliberately tossed three hand grenades to the floor of the crowded meeting room. This shocking act left the attendees and council members in a state of complete disbelief. Chaos erupted as people screamed and scrambled for cover, fearing for their lives. The sound of exploding grenades echoed throughout the room, heightening the panic and confusion. Authorities were immediately called to the scene, responding swiftly to contain the situation. The deputy was apprehended and disarmed, preventing further harm to those present. Investigations into the motive behind this brazen act are currently underway. Initial reports suggest that Batryn had grievances with the village council and wanted to make a dramatic statement. However, this incident has far-reaching implications that go beyond individual grievances. Small-town government meetings are meant to be platforms for discussion, debate, and decision-making. They should be a space where community members can come together to voice their concerns, propose ideas, and work towards the betterment of their town. The violent and explosive actions of Deputy Batryn not only disrupted the meeting but also undermined the very essence of democracy. Democracy relies on open dialogue, respect for differing opinions, and a commitment to peaceful resolution. When these principles are disregarded, the foundation of democracy is shaken, eroding trust and hindering progress. Keretsky Village, like many small towns, faces its fair share of challenges and issues that require the cooperation and collaboration of its leaders and citizens. It is imperative that disagreements are addressed through respectful discourse and lawful means, rather than resorting to dangerous and violent tactics. The incident in the Keretsky Village Council serves as a wake-up call for authorities, reminding them of the importance of ensuring the safety and security of all individuals attending such meetings. Measures must be put in place to prevent such incidents from happening in the future and to restore confidence in the democratic process. In the aftermath of this shocking event, the Keretsky community has come together to denounce the actions of Deputy Batryn and to reaffirm their commitment to peaceful governance. This incident will serve as a lesson for everyone involved, emphasizing the need for respectful and constructive engagement in the pursuit of a better future. As small-town communities across the world strive to address their local issues and aspirations, it is vital that their government meetings remain a space for productive dialogue and collaboration. Democracy is a fragile concept that requires constant nurturing and safeguarding, and incidents like this only highlight the importance of upholding its principles. Although it will take time for the wounds caused by this explosive incident to heal, the resilience and determination of the Keretsky community will lead them back on the path towards peaceful and prosperous governance.
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