Child and minister killed in the crash

Russia's invasion of Ukraine  

Ukrainian military helicopter crashed at a preschool – several ministers among the dead 

 Of:  

Amanda Hällsten,  

Nelly Kronstrand,  

Alexander Bönke  

Published: Today 08.06  

Updated: Today 13.26 

NEWS  

A military helicopter was on its way to the front when it crashed near a kindergarten in Kyiv.  

On board were the Ukrainian interior minister, the deputy interior minister and a state secretary – all of whom are said to have died in the crash, according to Reuters.  

"The pain is indescribable," writes President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram.  

A helicopter has crashed near a preschool in the suburb of Brovary on the outskirts of Kyiv.

"Today a terrible tragedy occurred," writes President Volodymyr Zelenskyjs on Telegram.  

According to the president's office, it was a military helicopter that was on its way to the front that crashed, AFP reports.  

The crash caused an extensive fire.  

At least 18 people have been confirmed dead, including 3 children. Even more are said to have been injured, Kiev Governor Oleksiy Kuleba writes on Telegram. 

The building on fire. Photo: Screenshot/Twitter  

Several Ukrainian politicians dead 

 9 of the dead were in the helicopter at the time of the crash, The Guardian reports and refers to the public service company Suspilne.  

Including Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyj together with Deputy Interior Minister Yevgeny Yenin and State Secretary Yuriy Lubkovich., Zelenskyjs confirms via Telegram.  

“My condolences to all the families and friends of the victims. May all those whose lives were taken this black morning rest in peace!”, he writes. At least 25 people have been injured, 

10 of whom are said to be children.  

"Highest-ranking politician to die in the war so far"  

The cause behind the crash is not known. 

But Hugo von Essen, analyst at the Center for Eastern European Studies, believes that Russia may use the accident to its advantage. 

- This will be able to be used by Russia as propaganda to achieve their propaganda goals, even though we do not know the background to the crash.  

At the same time, he believes that the accident means a real defeat for Ukraine.

- This is the highest-ranking politician who has died in the war so far. It can have serious consequences. Among those who died there was a lot of competence which is now disappearing and which takes time to rebuild, says Hugo von Essen and continues: 

- This is also a personal loss for Zelensky who loses a colleague, which can also have a psychological effect in the war. 

Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyj was on board the helicopter that crashed. Photo: Efrem Lukatsky / AP