Kiev-Ukraine-January 18, 2023

A helicopter crashed near a kindergarten in the morning in the Kyiv region

At least 18 people, including the Ukrainian interior minister and three children, were killed in a "terrible" tragedy, as described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who ordered a detailed investigation into it.

The governor of the Kyiv region Oleksiy kuliba said on Telegram: "a tragedy in Brovary. The number of victims increased. At 10: 30 (08: 30 GMT), 18 dead, including three children," he said.

He spoke about the registration of "29 wounded, including 15 children," referring to the possibility of a high toll.

In footage that has spread on social networks, the remains of the helicopter and debris appear near a destroyed car. Agence France-Presse reporters reported that firefighters and policemen were deployed at the scene.

The Ukrainian police chief said in a statement that among the victims were Interior Minister Denis monastyrsky, 42, his first assistant Yevgeny yeniny, 42, and interior ministry official Yuri lobkovich, who were on board the helicopter with six other people.

The Ukrainian presidency announced that the helicopter was heading to the front. "The purpose of this trip was to go to one of the hot spots of our country where battles are taking place," deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential office Kirill Tymoshenko told national television. The minister of the interior was going there".