Russian Missile Strike Kills 10, Injures 100 at Ukraine Defense Event; Zelenskyy Questions Gathering

A Russian ballistic missile attack on a defense industry event in Ukraine's Kyiv region on Friday resulted in at least 10 fatalities and nearly 100 injuries. The strike occurred north of the capital, where emergency workers were seen sifting through rubble near residential buildings. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the nation, denouncing the attack as "Russian terror" but also expressing strong criticism of the decision to organize such a large public gathering amidst the ongoing war.

"Of course, the cause of this attack is Russian missiles, nothing but Russian terror," Zelenskyy stated, according to Reuters. He added, "However, we have said a thousand times that under these wartime conditions, with such an enemy, it is absolutely unacceptable to hold any weapons exhibitions with large crowds of people, especially near residential buildings."

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Of course, the cause of this attack is Russian missiles, nothing but Russian terror.

The event, organized by a drone manufacturers' association, took place a short distance from Kyiv's outskirts. A spokesperson for Ukraine's General Staff indicated that while the venue was not under military jurisdiction, "maximum security measures" should have been implemented. The acting governor of the Kyiv region declared Saturday a day of mourning. The Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry confirmed the presence of defense sector representatives but denied organizing the event.

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However, we have said a thousand times that under these wartime conditions, with such an enemy, it is absolutely unacceptable to hold any weapons exhibitions with large crowds of people, especially near residential buildings.

Valerii Borovyk, founder of Ukrainian drone company First Contact, reported that the missile struck a training ground where the exhibition was held. A criminal investigation has been initiated by Ukraine's Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko to determine if officials failed in their duties during the event's organization and execution.

Simultaneously, Russia carried out attacks in other parts of Ukraine. In Sloviansk, an aerial bomb killed five people and injured nine, with further casualties reported later. A drone attack in the Sumy region killed two individuals. In Zaporizhzhia, a Russian strike hit a shopping center, causing injuries and a fire. Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of targeting civilians since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, though both deny deliberately attacking civilian populations.

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maximum security measures