Russia launched a missile strike on a military training ground in the Kyiv region, where an event showcasing military equipment was taking place at the time. Ten people were killed and around 100 others were injured to varying degrees, according to Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko. The prosecutor’s office is investigating the attack as a war crime and is also conducting a separate inquiry into the actions of the event’s organisers.
Briefly about the main points
- A Russian missile struck a military training ground in the Kyiv region.
- Weapons were on display at the site during the attack.
- Ten people were killed and around 100 were injured.
- The Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating breaches of the laws and customs of war.
- The organisation of the event is being investigated as part of separate proceedings.
The details of the victims are being clarified
The Attorney General has released updated information on the consequences of the attack Ruslan Kravchenko. According to him, the casualties include people with injuries of varying severity.
The founder of First Contact, a defence contractor, had previously reported a serious an attack on one of the firing ranges, where an arms exhibition was taking place, as well as reports of fatalities and extensive damage. The exact location of the event, the type of missile and the list of damaged equipment have not been officially disclosed.
Proceedings concerning the Russian attack
The Office of the Prosecutor General is overseeing the proceedings in the case concerning Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — regarding violations of the laws and customs of war.
Investigators will establish the circumstances of the missile strike, including the type of weapon used, the direction from which it was launched and the consequences of the strike. The evidence gathered may be used to hold Russian officials accountable for war crimes.
Kravchenko expressed his condolences to the families of those who had died and to the injured.
What will be examined in the organisers’ actions
A separate criminal investigation has been launched under Part 3 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — concerning the possible improper performance of official duties, which could have resulted in loss of life and other serious consequences.
As part of this investigation, law enforcement officers are to establish who took the decision to hold the event and who approved its venue, time and format. They will also be examining the security measures put in place and the risk assessment carried out under martial law.
The mere fact that proceedings have been opened does not imply that specific officials are at fault. The findings of the investigation will depend on the evidence and expert reports.
Risks to specialist events during wartime
Training grounds are not used solely for military exercises: the Ministry of Defence’s state-run service, «Zalizny Poligon», provides manufacturers with access to sites for testing, demonstrations and professional evaluation of defence developments. Consequently, such events can bring together both specialists and equipment.
According to media reports, public announcements regarding the defence event named the organisers but did not specify the exact location. This in itself does not prove any link between the announcements and the attack. The investigation must establish whether the format of the event, the access arrangements, the communication regarding it and the security measures were commensurate with the military risks.
Such large-scale technological and defence-related incidents during wartime require a simultaneous assessment of organisational, counter-intelligence and air defence risks. At the same time, responsibility for a missile attack lies with the aggressor state, whilst the review of management decisions constitutes a separate line of inquiry.
