Ukrainian defence group confirms fatalities in Russian strike on Kyiv UPDATED

At least 10 people have been killed and around 100 injured in a strike on a training ground in Ukraine’s Kyiv region, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko said.

“The figures are being verified,” Kravchenko said, adding that those injured had suffered wounds of varying severity, Caliber.Az reports. 

He said an investigation would determine who decided to hold the event, who approved the location, timing and format, what safety measures were implemented and whether the risks had been properly assessed under martial law.

Kravchenko offered his condolences to the families and relatives of those affected by what he described as a tragic incident.

15:29

A Ukrainian defence industry association has confirmed that a Russian missile strike hit a training ground in the Kyiv region where representatives of Ukraine's defence sector were present, saying the attack resulted in fatalities and injuries.

The Ukrainian Council of Gunsmiths, a public organisation uniting associations of private defence manufacturers, said, in a statement on Facebook, that it was not the organiser of the exhibition that was taking place at the site, Caliber.Az reports.

"Today, an enemy missile strike occurred in the Kyiv region at a location where representatives of the Ukrainian defense industry were present. Unfortunately, there are casualties and injured. We express our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” it noted.

According to the statement, the Information about the exact location of the participants was not publicly disclosed and the circumstances of the strike are being established by the competent authorities.

“We ask you to refrain from sharing photos and videos from the scene, geolocation, information about the victims, companies, and other details that could harm people, the work of the Defence Forces, or the investigation. The Armed Forces Council team was not the organizer of the event, but is in contact with colleagues and provides necessary support," the organisation added.

15:24

Russian forces launched a missile strike on a Ukrainian military training ground on July 24 while a defence equipment exhibition was underway, causing fatalities, according to Valeriy Borovyk, founder of defence manufacturer First Contact and a combat veteran.

Borovyk said it was a very serious strike on one of the training grounds, and there was an arms exhibition taking place there, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“Our people were there. Official statements will come later. Most likely, the strike was aimed at that specific event, and unfortunately there are fatalities and destruction. I can't say anything further about the location or the consequences. That will all be covered in official comments," Borovyk noted.

Separately, Serhiy Flash, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, posted a message on social media suggesting he had been at the site during the attack.

"Friends, thank you. I'm okay. My team is alive," he wrote.

In the comments under Flesh's post, social media users criticised what they described as Ukraine's continued practice of gathering large numbers of people at exhibitions and public events.

Ukrainian authorities had not immediately issued an official statement on the reported strike or casualties.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov