BREAKING UPDATE: Ukraine’s police chief appointed acting interior minister following horror helicopter crash in Brovary

FOLLOWING the horrific helicopter crash near a nursery in Ukraine’s Brovary, which killed at least 16 people including Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Minister, Denys Monastyrsky, his deputy Yevgeny Enin, and State Secretary Yury Lubkovich, the Ukrainian government has announced Monastyrsky temporary replacement.

UPDATE 3.11 pm (January 18) – On Wednesday, January 18, Monastyrsky was among those killed after a helicopter – believed to be a Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma – crashed near a nursery in Brovary, located outside the capital Kyiv.

His death led to the appointment of Ukraine’s national police chief Ihor Klymenko as acting interior minister.

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal made the announcement just hours after the helicopter crash which killed at least 16 people, including children.

Shmyhal said on Telegram: “The government appointed Ihor Klymenko as the deputy minister of internal affairs and head of the National Police of Ukraine. And entrusted him with the duties of the Minister of Internal Affairs.

“After the discussion with the Parliament, there will be a proposal for the appointment of a new head of the department.”

He added: “The Ministry of Internal Affairs is one of the key branches of our country’s security, and therefore the necessary protocols are in place to maintain control over all processes.”

Also among those killed in the crash was photographer Mykola Anatskyi.

“He was born and raised in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, served in the “Donbas” battalion, then transferred to the ranks of the Kulchytskyi battalion,” said Viktoriya Navrotska, deputy director of the Department of Communication at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

“Well, it’s official. My brother and friend from the 27th Pechersk Brigade, Mykola Anatskyi, died on board. He was from Bakhmut, took part in anti-terrorist operation, liberated Kyiv region. He was sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to work in communications.

“Some of the best photos belong to him. In particular, the freed Azov citizens in Ankara,” wrote his brother Denys Sokolov about the deceased.

ORIGINAL 9.43 am (January 18) – At least 16 people have died as a result of a helicopter crash in Ukraine’s Brovary, according to reports on Wednesday, January 22.

According to reports, Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Minister, Denys Monastyrsky, his deputy Yevgeny Enin, and State Secretary Yury Lubkovich, were among those killed after a helicopter – believed to be a Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma – crashed near a nursery in Brovary, located outside the capital Kyiv.

Initial reports suggest that at least 16 people have lost their lives as a result of the crash, including 2 children.

There are also believed to be around 22 injured, including 10 children, who were rushed to a local hospital following the tragic incident.

Videos circulating online show the extent of the crash, which appears to have been caused by pilots being unable to navigate through heavy fog, according to reports.

Maria Avdeeva wrote alongside the video: “As a result of a helicopter crash in Brovary Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine died. Emergency Service helicopter crashed at local kindergarten. 16 dead, two of them children. Terrible tragedy.”

As a result of a helicopter crash in Brovary Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine died. Emergency Service helicopter crashed at local kindergarten. 16 dead, two of them children. Terrible tragedy. pic.twitter.com/KiKR5ItDoI

— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) January 18, 2023

Leading Eastern European news outlet NEXTA wrote: “The Office of the President confirmed the information about the falling of a flying object near a kindergarten.” This was later confirmed as being a helicopter.

The scale of the fire after the helicopter crash in #Brovary. According to the police, three people were killed and five have been injured. pic.twitter.com/qMjR3cuaZp

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) January 18, 2023

Kira Rodik said: “It is impossible to believe. 17 dead, including 2 children. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the First Deputy Minister and the Secretary of State died. My deepest condolences.”

#Brovary. It is impossible to believe. 17 dead, including 2 children. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the First Deputy Minister and the Secretary of State died. My deepest condolences😞

📹 Brovary's auditor pic.twitter.com/djAU1v3ya6

— Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) January 18, 2023

The Kyiv Post reported: “The leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs died as a result of the helicopter crash in Brovary: the minister, the first deputy minister and the state secretary.”

Kyiv region governor Oleksiy Kuleba said: “At the time of the tragedy, children and staff of the institution were in the kindergarten.

“Everyone has now been evacuated. There are casualties.”

Prominent Twitter account @Archer83Able shared a video reportedly showing the helicopter before it crashed.

“A video of an Airbus Н225 Super Puma helicopter of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine shortly before the crash in Brovary,” the account wrote.

“On board were the Minister of Internal Affairs Minister Denys Monastyrsky, his deputy Yevgeny Enin, and State Secretary Yury Lubkovich – they died.”

A video of an Airbus Н225 Super Puma helicopter of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine shortly before the crash in Brovary.

On board were the Minister of Internal Affairs Minister Denys Monastyrsky, his deputy Yevgeny Enin, and State Secretary Yury Lubkovich – they died. https://t.co/G4IiQkA9eT pic.twitter.com/LztjqVSylS

— Status-6 (@Archer83Able) January 18, 2023

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