Russian attack on Kyiv arms exhibition kills 10, injures more than 100
by Lisa Hornung · UPIJuly 24 (UPI) -- At least 10 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a Russian ballistic missile attack on an arms exhibition in Kyiv on Friday, government officials said.
There are conflicting reports about where the event was held. Presidential advisor Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov told the Kyiv Independent the event happened at a training ground near Kyiv. Yuriy Ignat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian air force, later said the strike was at a private sports complex.
Ihnat told Ukrainian TV the attack included three ballistic missiles, one of which was intercepted.
Five others were killed in Sloviansk, Ukraine, by Russian glide bombs. And overnight, a Ukrainian strike killed six people and injured 26 in Kirov, Russia, and Ukraine also attacked more Wildberries warehouses in St. Petersburg, the BBC reported.
In Sloviansk, "The Russians damaged ordinary residential buildings, a consulate building, and vehicles," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on his Telegram channel. "Brutal strikes against people -- acts for which the Russians must be held accountable. Russia has long disregarded all international norms and basic human standards. They are interested only in continuing the killing. It is crucial that our partners fully understand that the protection of lives depends on them as well. Missiles for Patriot systems are the number one priority."
"No details about the [arms exhibition] or its location" were publicly available before the attack, with the invitation only shared among closed industry channels, a representative of the Ukrainian Council of Defense Industry told the Kyiv Independent. The official said "neither the invitation nor the registration link disclosed the venue."
But people on social media have posted images of fliers advertising the event with links for people to find out the location.
The council posted on Facebook that "an enemy missile strike occurred in the Kyiv region at a location where representatives of the Ukrainian defense industry were present."
"We express our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," it added.