Fourteen people have died in a helicopter crash that happened in Ukraine including the country’s interior minister.
It was a sad day among sad days in Ukraine when a helicopter carrying 14 people came down a result of reasons yet to be known. The crash, which is most likely an accident happened around 08:30 local time (07:30 GMT+1).
The SBU state security service, however, stated that it was looking into several potential causes for the crash, including sabotage as well as a technical issue or a violation of flight regulations.
The State Emergency Service first reported that up to 18 persons may have died in the disaster, but later changed its estimate to 14 fatalities.
The most prominent Ukrainian victim since the war began is Mr Monastyrsky, who served as one of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s political aides for the longest period.
The minister was en route to a “hot spot” for conflict when his chopper crashed, according to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office.
The ministerial delegation was on route to meet him in Kharkiv, according to Volodymyr Tymoshko, the city’s police chief, who said he had only spoken to them yesterday.
The interior ministry’s crucial role in managing security and the police during the war makes the minister’s passing particularly painful for the Kyiv government.
President Zelensky requested that there be a moment of quiet for the victims of the helicopter crash at the World Economic Forum that was held in Davos via conference call and then added “there are no accidents at war time. These are all war results absolutely.”
The president of Ukraine continued by saying that he was unconcerned for his own safety.
Ihor Klymenko, the commander of Ukraine’s national police, has been named acting interior minister in the wake of Mr Monastyrsky’s passing.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken extends “deep sorrow and condolences” following a deadly helicopter crash in Brovary, Ukraine.
He said “A couple of them left behind small children. They have been heroic in their efforts in defense of Ukraine against the Russian aggression and we stand with our friends in Ukraine in mourning their loss and recommitting to the efforts that we’re making to help Ukraine defend itself against this aggression,”
