On 27 July, the court ordered Vasyl Honcharuk, head of the «Armada» association and one of the organisers of the unmanned systems event in Kapitanivka, to be remanded in custody for 60 days without the possibility of bail. Following the Russian missile strike on the site on 24 July, law enforcement agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding the organisation of the event and compliance with safety measures.
Briefly about the main points
- Goncharuk will remain in custody for 60 days with no option for bail.
- The court held the hearing on the interim measure in camera.
- The Public Prosecutor’s Office cited the risk of tampering with witnesses and evidence.
- As of 27 July, 11 people had died as a result of the attack.
- The investigation is assessing the coordination of the operation, shelter arrangements and evacuation procedures.
Allegations and the parties’ positions in court
According to Radio Free Europe, Goncharuk charges were brought under part three Article 367 of the Criminal Code — professional negligence resulting in loss of life or other serious consequences. The penalty under this provision is imprisonment for a term of between five and eight years; however, this does not constitute a prediction of the outcome in this specific case.
Prosecutor Ivan Varanitsa, in support of the application for detention without bail, cited the risks of evidence being destroyed or tampered with and of witnesses being influenced. The defence considered these risks to be unfounded and requested that house arrest or a personal guarantee be imposed.
Goncharuk himself has stated that he is prepared to cooperate with the investigation and assist the victims. He also reported that he sustained shrapnel wounds during the attack. These statements represent the suspect’s account and do not constitute facts established by the court.
What is checked following a missile strike
Russia launched a missile strike on the territory of a private firing range in the village of Kapitanivka, Bucha District, on 24 July, whilst an event dedicated to unmanned systems and defence technologies was taking place there. As of 27 July, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 11 people had been killed, whilst the media estimated the number of injured at around 100. Two missiles also struck a residential area near the firing range, injuring local residents.
The investigation must establish how the venue was chosen, who was responsible for the participants’ safety, and whether the conditions for holding the event were agreed with the relevant authorities. The investigation covers the actions of the organisers, representatives of central government, local authorities, the military command and other services that may have been involved in the approval or supervision of the event.
According to the prosecution’s case, as set out by the Prosecutor General, the event was organised without the approval of the military command, the regional and district military administrations, and other authorised bodies. The prosecution also states that over 300 people were invited to the open-air venue, whilst the nearest shelter, measuring 34 square metres, was located approximately 100 metres away. These figures are yet to be verified as part of the investigation.
«Armada» announces that the event will be held behind closed doors
The «Armada» Association of Manufacturers of Unmanned Systems and Related Technologies, headed by Goncharuk, described the event as a closed-door practical demonstration of critical infrastructure protection technologies for representatives of the Ukrainian defence industry and potential users. The organisation states that the exact location was not made public, but was disclosed to verified participants following registration.
Local residents were unaware that the event was taking place. The issue of the possible disclosure of the location is just one of the areas that law enforcement agencies may be investigating. The investigation’s findings regarding authorisations, the number of attendees, shelter arrangements and the response to the air-raid alert relate to other aspects of security.
Two distinct areas of responsibility
The missile strike was carried out by Russia, and responsibility for the attack is the subject of a separate investigation. The criminal proceedings concerning the actions of those responsible and the security procedures do not alter this fact; rather, they are intended to establish whether measures to protect people were properly organised.
The imposition of a preventive measure does not imply an admission of guilt on Goncharuk’s part: only a court can establish guilt following a hearing on the merits of the case. The defence has the right to appeal against the ruling. The full reasoning behind the decision is not yet public, as the hearing took place behind closed doors.
