Ukraine's interior minister killed in helicopter crash in Kyiv region

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - A helicopter crash in the Brovary city of Ukraine’s Kyiv region on Wednesday killed at least 16 people, including the country’s interior minister, his first deputy minister, and the state secretary.

“This morning, January 18, a helicopter of the State Emergency Service crashed in Brovary. As a result of the plane crash, the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs died: the minister, the first deputy minister, and the state secretary,” chief of National Police Ihor Klymenko said, according to a Telegram message.

The statement said the crash killed 16 people, including two children, with nine people on board the helicopter.

It added: “22 victims, including 10 children, are in the hospital. All specialized services are working on the site. The inspection of the scene is ongoing.”​​​​​​​

Meanwhile, Ukrainian media reported that the helicopter crashed near a kindergarten and a fire broke out in the area where the accident took place.