Top Ukrainian Official Among At Least 14 Dead After Helicopter Crashes Into Kindergarten

Ukrainian Denys Monastyrskyi, Interior Minister, was killed along with more than a dozen other victims when his helicopter crashed into a kindergarten in a Kyiv suburb on Wednesday. 

The Associated Press reports that at least one child was killed on the ground, and nine people were injured in the rescue helicopter. reported. Initial estimates by Ukrainian officials that as many as 18 people died in the crash were incorrect. But, it was eventually determined that the death toll had been significantly higher. revised The number of people who died was down to 14. Ukrainian authorities are investigating to determine if the helicopter crashed in dense fog or if it was deliberately shot down. 

Volodymyr Zelensky, President, stated: “the pain is unspeakable” As he directed officials to investigate the circumstances of the tragedy, Officials continue to identify remains and the death toll could rise.   

Monastyrskyi, appointed as minister of Internal Affairs in 2021, oversaw the country’s police and emergency services. One of Monastyrskyi’s highest priorities was dealing with the fallout of Russian strikes and de-mining, according to political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko, who spoke with the AP. 

According to the AP five Interior Ministry officials and a Police officer were among those who were riding on the helicopter with the interior minister. Three crew members also took part in the flight. Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Minister, said that two of his closest friends and colleagues were among the victims. 

“Tragedy far from the frontline, in Brovary. My condolences to relatives of the victims, especially children. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured. Denys Monastyrskyi and Yevhenii Yenin were close colleagues & friends of mine, true Ukrainian patriots. Huge loss for all of us,” Kuleba wrote. 

Ukraine is still recovering from the Russian missile strike. killed Last Saturday, at least 45 people, including six kids, were killed in an apartment building with nine stories in Dnipro. This was the deadliest attack on civilians since last February’s Russian invasion.