A tragic helicopter crash near a kindergarten in the town of Brovary, located 20 kilometres northeast of Kyiv, has claimed the lives of 16 people, including 2 children and Ukraine’s Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky.

The incident occurred on Wednesday and videos from the aftermath of the crash circulating online show cries heard at the scene, which was consumed by fire.

At the time of the crash, children and employees were present at the kindergarten. The cause of the crash is currently unknown and investigations are ongoing. 22 people were hospitalized, including 10 children.

This incident comes on the heels of another tragedy that claimed the lives of 45 people, including 6 children, when a Russian missile struck a residential building in the eastern city of Dnipro over the weekend.

The helicopter, a Mi-8, was carrying a total of 18 passengers and 3 crew members, all of whom were killed in the crash. The passengers on board included top officials from the Interior Ministry, as well as their families and children. The Interior Minister, Denys Monastyrsky, who was 42 years old and a father of two, had only been appointed to the position in 2021.

Rescue teams and emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene of the crash, but the intense fire made it difficult for them to reach the wreckage. The fire was eventually put out, but the helicopter was completely destroyed. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but officials have not ruled out the possibility of a technical malfunction or a human error.

The crash has sent shockwaves through Ukraine, and condolences have been pouring in from around the world. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has declared a day of national mourning in honor of the victims, and flags will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings. The President has also ordered a thorough investigation into the crash, and has promised that those responsible will be held accountable.

This tragic incident is a reminder of the dangers of air travel, and the importance of ensuring the safety and security of all passengers and crew members. The families of the victims are in our thoughts and prayers, and we extend our deepest condolences to them during this difficult time.