At least 15 individuals died after a helicopter crashed outside of Kyiv on Wednesday morning, including the interior minister of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Anton Geraschenko, a Ukrainian ministry consultant, announced on social media that the Ukraine helicopter crash killed Interior Minister Denis Monastyrsky, First Deputy Minister Yevheniy Yenin, and Secretary of State Yuriy Lubkovychis, according to CNN.
The French-built Super Puma helicopter crashed in a residential area in the district of Brovary on the eastern outskirts of the city, killing nine persons on board and six on the ground, including three children, according to officials, Reuters reported.
In an initial report, authorities noted that there had been 18 fatalities in the Ukraine helicopter crash.
The regional governor reported that 29 other individuals, including 15 children, were hurt.
The minister was heading to a "hot area" in a conflict when his chopper crashed, according to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy director of the Ukrainian presidential administration.
Despite claims from witnesses that the Russia-Ukraine war was to blame, there is no evidence to suggest that the crash was anything other than an accident.
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Zelensky Honors Deceased Officials
A 42-year-old Monastyrsky was a key official in President Volodymyr Zelensky's administration, per BBC. He was instrumental in keeping the public informed about the number of people killed by Russian missile attacks since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In a written statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the accident as "terrible" and said he had directed the Ukrainian Security Services to find out the cause of the Ukraine helicopter crash.
Zelensky honored the deceased officers as "true patriots" of the country. "May they rest in peace! May all those whose lives were taken this black morning rest in peace!"
European Council President Charles Michel glorified Monastyrsky as "a great friend" of the commission.
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