On November 6, General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, reported the tragic death of his assistant, Major Hennadii Chastiakov, on his birthday.
In a statement on Telegram, Zaluzhnyi said Chastiakov died “under tragic circumstances at home with his family” when an unknown explosive device exploded in one of his birthday presents.
“Indescribable pain and a grave loss for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and for me personally,” Zaluzhnyi wrote. “From the beginning of the all-out invasion, Hennadii was a trusted shoulder for me and dedicated his life to the armed forces of Ukraine and the fight against Russian aggression.”
Citing Chastiakov’s wife, the explosive device that exploded in her husband’s hands was in a gift bag he had brought home, a source familiar with the investigation told media outlet Ukrainska Pravda.
Citing the woman’s account, the source said Chastiakov brought home a gift bag containing a bottle of alcohol and grenade-shaped souvenir shot glasses. The explosion occurred when he opened the package.
Authorities are investigating the exact circumstances of the incident. No further information was provided.
To update. Later, on November 6, Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine’s Interior Minister, made a statement on his Telegram channel in response to the “information from sources.”
Klymenko said that according to the preliminary investigation, Major Hennadii Chastiakov pulled the ring of a grenade presented to him, which caused the explosion.
“These were grenades of a new Western type,” Klymenko added.
According to Klymenko, the major opened a box of grenades, one of which his son took. “The soldier then took the grenade from the child and pulled out the ring, causing a tragic explosion,” Klymenko wrote.
Police found five more such unexploded grenades in the apartment.
“The police found a fellow soldier who gave the fatal gift. His office was inspected and two other similar grenades were confiscated. Priority investigative measures are underway,” Klymenko clarified.
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