2023 Brovary helicopter crash

On 18 January 2023, a Ukrainian Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma transporting ten individuals, among them Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky, his deputy Yevhen Yenin, and State Secretary Yurii Lubkovych, crashed into a kindergarten located in Brovary, near Kyiv. The accident caused fourteen deaths, encompassing everyone onboard as well as four people on the ground, including one child. Additionally, twenty-five individuals sustained injuries, with eleven of them being children.

Crash

Deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, stated that the officials aboard were en route to a combat zone when the helicopter went down at 08:20 EET. Witnesses described foggy weather conditions and observed the helicopter engulfed in flames, spinning while missing its pylon and tail rotor before it impacted the ground. The aircraft collided with a local kindergarten, igniting a fire that damaged the premises. Rescue operations extended for nearly nine hours.

In Brovary, twenty-five individuals on the ground required hospitalization, with eight transferred to a specialized burn unit in Kyiv. Although none were in critical condition, the Ministry of Health announced plans to send six patients abroad for advanced medical treatment.

Aircraft

The helicopter involved was a Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma (Airbus H225), bearing identification number 54 and operated by the Ukrainian State Emergency Service. This model was part of a fleet of 21 H225 helicopters delivered from France between 2018 and 2021 aimed at upgrading Ukraine's aging Soviet-era aviation assets. Approximately half of these helicopters were previously used units showing up to 50% wear but underwent refurbishment prior to deployment.

Passengers and crew

A total of seven passengers and three crew members were aboard the helicopter. Among the passengers were high-ranking officials from the Interior Ministry: Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky, his deputy Yevhen Yenin, State Secretary Yurii Lubkovych, along with Monastyrsky’s security chief. The flight crew included pilot Oleksandr Vasylenko, co-pilot Kostiantyn Kovalenko, and flight mechanic Ivan Kasianov, all experienced in operating under demanding conditions.

Investigation

There was no indication that the crash resulted from anything other than an accident; however, the exact cause was not immediately known following the event. President Zelenskyy instructed the SBU to initiate a criminal inquiry. Possible factors under consideration included violations of flight regulations, mechanical failure, or sabotage.

Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, confirmed that a special state commission would oversee the investigation, which was anticipated to require several weeks.

On 3 August, Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation formally charged five employees of the State Emergency Service with negligence and breaches of safety protocols connected to the crash. Those indicted comprised senior personnel from both the aviation department and flight safety divisions located in Nizhyn, Chernihiv Oblast.

Reactions

The government designated Ihor Klymenko, head of the National Police of Ukraine, as the interim interior minister pending the appointment of a permanent successor; he was subsequently confirmed in this position.

A wide range of Ukrainian, European, and American dignitaries offered their sympathies and honored the victims. Among those expressing condolences were Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, prime minister Denys Shmyhal, foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, chairman of parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk, European Council President Charles Michel, U.S. President Joe Biden, U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget A. Brink, and UK ambassador Melinda Simmons.