Zelenskyy announced redundancies at Ukroboronprom following Russia’s strike on an ammunition depot in Vyshneve
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has stated that the secondary explosion in Vyshneve, in the Kyiv region, following the Russian attack on 6 July, was caused by a strike on an ammunition depot belonging to one of Ukroboronprom’s enterprises. According to him, a large number of people were affected by the strike and there have been significant casualties.
“Regarding Vyshneve. The investigation into the explosion. An absolutely horrific situation. There was an ammunition depot in Vyshneve. The enemy struck this depot. A large number of people were injured. There are heavy casualties. My condolences, but condolences are not enough,” said the head of state whilst speaking to journalists.
The President stated that he had received information from the Security Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Office of the Prosecutor General. According to him, a criminal investigation has already been launched.
“There is a criminal case. Those responsible will be held criminally liable and, undoubtedly, there will be dismissals at Ukroboronprom, as the depot was one of Ukroboronprom’s facilities,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In the town of Vyshneve, emergency rescue and recovery operations have been ongoing for four days following the Russian shelling that took place on the night of 6 July. According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, more than 300 rescue workers and 106 pieces of equipment are working at the scene. They are surveying the area, clearing rubble and assisting local residents, whilst SES psychologists are providing support to those affected and delivering water, food and essential supplies.
The State Emergency Service noted that the main task of the rescue workers remains to provide assistance to those affected by the attack.
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, a criminal investigation has been launched into the shelling of Vyshneve. Law enforcement officers are carrying out initial investigative measures, documenting the consequences of the attack and establishing all the circumstances of the incident. Further details of the investigation are not being disclosed at this stage, in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
A secondary explosion occurred during the attack in Vyshneve, leading to the evacuation of over 600 local residents. According to official figures, 13 hectares of residential buildings have been damaged. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko described this destruction as the most extensive to the residential sector since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The government has announced its intention to allocate funds from the reserve fund for the community’s reconstruction.
The President also instructed the Security Service of Ukraine and the intelligence services to investigate the full circumstances of the incident in detail. Dmytro Lykhoviy, spokesperson for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated that the site where the explosion occurred is not under the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
