In a shocking turn of events, a helicopter crashed into a kindergarten in a suburban area of Kyiv, killing Ukraine’s Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi as well as several other people on the ground, including a child. Following a Russian missile striking an apartment building in Dnipro, killing dozens of civilians just four days ago, this tragic incident marks the second major calamity to hit Ukraine in four days.
Interior Minister Monastyrskyi: A Leading Light in Supporting the Ukrainian People
Denys Monastyrskyi, head of the country’s emergency services and police, is the country’s most senior official to have died since the Russian invasion. According to British Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Monastyrskyi has been “a leading light in supporting the Ukrainian people during Putin’s illegal invasion.” She went on to say that she was “struck by his determination, optimism and patriotism.”
Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said Monastyrskyi was responsible for police and emergency services that dealt with the consequences of Russian strikes and demining. His death and two others from his ministry are a massive loss for the country and its people.
Investigation Underway: Was it an Accident or Related to the War?
No word was available on whether the helicopter crash was an accident or war-related. However, Ukrainian authorities immediately opened an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. There have been no recent reports of fighting in the capital area.
Emergency services are still identifying remains, and the death toll may rise, Kyiv regional governor Oleksii Kuleba told Ukrainian television. The Ukraine National Police said the crash claimed five Interior Ministry officials, one national police officer and three crew members on the helicopter. According to the National Police, Yevhen Yenin, Monastyrskyi’s deputy, and Yurii Lubkovych, state secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, were also killed.
Senior Officials Routinely Travel by Helicopter: A Risky Practice?
With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, high-ranking officials in the country have a tendency to travel by helicopter at low altitudes and high speeds. This mode of transportation comes with its own set of risks and dangers. The recent tragedy of the helicopter crash may lead to a change in protocol for official travel, possibly implementing a rule that top officials should avoid flying on the same aircraft, as is common practice in many other countries and companies.
The group of officials who were on board the helicopter were planning to visit the northeastern region of Kharkiv, as noted by local police chief Volodymyr Tymoshko. He went on to express his admiration for the leaders who were lost in the accident, describing them not only as leaders but also as friends he respected.
Helicopter Involved in Crash: A French-manufactured Super Puma
Details have emerged about the helicopter involved in the crash, which was revealed to be a French-manufactured Super Puma by a spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force, Yurii Ihnat. The helicopter was sold to Ukraine in 2019, prior to the outbreak of the war on Feb. 24, according to a French defense official who spoke anonymously due to ministry policy.
As the investigation into the crash continues, the Security Service of Ukraine, led by prosecutor general Andriy Kostin, is considering all possible versions of the accident. “For now, we are considering all possible versions of the helicopter crash accident,” Kostin said on Telegram.
A Dark Period in the War for Ukraine
This tragic incident comes at a particularly difficult time for Ukraine, as it follows closely on the heels of a Russian missile strike on an apartment building in the southeastern city of Dnipro, which killed dozens of civilians, including six children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the crash as “a terrible tragedy” on a “black morning.” Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, expressed her condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident, saying, “Another very sad day today — new losses.”
