UPDATE 2 - Ukraine helicopter crash kills 18, including 3 children, interior minister

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS; CHANGES HEADLINE, SPOT, LEDE; EDITS THROUGH

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - A helicopter crash in the Brovary city of Ukraine’s Kyiv region on Wednesday killed at least 18 people, including 3 children, the country’s interior minister, first deputy minister, and state secretary, according to Kyiv governor.

"Tragedy in Brovary. The number of victims increased. As of 10:30 a.m. (0830GMT) – 18 dead, including 3 children. It is known about 29 wounded, including 15 children. All necessary assistance is provided to the victims. All emergency services are on site," Kyiv Governor Oleksiy Kuleba said on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Telegram statement: "Today, a terrible tragedy occurred in Brovary, Kyiv region. A SES (State Emergency Service of Ukraine) helicopter crashed, and a fire broke out at the crash site. As of this minute, 15 people died. The exact number of victims of the tragedy is currently being established."

Noting that Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi, his deputy Yevhen Yenin, and state secretary Yurii Lubkovych were among those killed in the crash, Zelenskyy said at least 25 people were injured, including 10 children.

"As of this minute, three children died. The pain is unspeakable. The helicopter fell on the territory of one of the kindergartens. I have instructed the Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with the National Police of Ukraine and other authorized bodies, to find out all the circumstances of what happened," Zelenskyy further noted.

Kuleba also said earlier that the helicopter belonging to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine fell near a kindergarten and a residential building.

Separately, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal instructed officials to immediately create a special group for "a detailed investigation of all the circumstances of the tragedy."

About the route of the helicopter, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko said in a briefing that it was going to one of the "hot spots" of the conflict with Russia, noting that more details will be provided later, according to the RBK-Ukraine news agency.

Chief of National Police Ihor Klymenko initially said on Telegram that nine people were on board the helicopter.