Russian forces struck a training ground in the Kyiv region hosting an arms exhibition, killing at least 10 and injuring around 100, according to Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
Arms makers and authorities later confirmed that the attack targeted an arms exhibition.
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Reports of the attack were initially made by Valerii Borovyk, founder of the Ukrainian defense manufacturer First Contact.
“I don’t think I can say everything, but the strike on one of the training grounds was very serious, where the arms exhibition was taking place. Our acquaintances were there,” Borovyk said.
“Unfortunately, there are deaths and destruction. I can’t disclose the location or all the consequences,” he added.
A Kyiv Post source familiar with the situation confirmed that the strike targeted the site. According to the source, more than 30 people were injured, while reports of 8 deaths remain unconfirmed.
President Volodymyr Zelensky later confirmed that Russia had carried out a missile strike on the Kyiv region but did not say whether it had struck the arms exhibition.
“A rescue operation is currently underway in the Kyiv region following the Russian missile strike. As of now, dozens of victims are known,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
He added that six people had been killed.
“It is also known that, unfortunately, six people died. My condolences to their families and loved ones. The investigation into all the circumstances and the fate of those affected continues. All necessary emergency services are working at the scene,” Zelensky said.
Kyiv Hit by Rare Daytime Ballistic Missile Strike
He said Russia must be held accountable for attacks on civilians.
“Russia has long disregarded all international norms and basic human values. It is interested only in continuing the killing. It is important that our partners fully understand that protecting lives also depends on them. Missiles for Patriot systems are priority number one,” Zelensky said.
Presidential adviser and military technology expert Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov, who was attending the exhibition, said he and his team were unharmed.
“Friends, thank you. I’m fine. The team is alive,” he wrote on social media.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Council of Arms Manufacturers confirmed that a Russian missile struck a location in the Kyiv region where representatives of Ukraine’s defense industry were present.
“Today, a hostile missile strike hit a location in the Kyiv region where representatives of the Ukrainian defense industry were gathered. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded,” the council said in a Facebook statement.
The organization stressed that the exact location of the event had not been publicly disclosed.
“The circumstances of the strike are being established by the competent authorities. Please refrain from sharing photos or videos from the scene, geolocation data, information about the victims, participating companies, or any other details that could endanger people, compromise the work of the Defense Forces, or interfere with the investigation.”
The council added that it was not the organizer of the event, but remains in contact with those affected and is providing the necessary support.
Later, in an update at 2:21 p.m., the Kyiv Regional Military Administration (OVA) confirmed that Russia had launched a ballistic missile strike on the region, with the Buchanskyi district sustaining the heaviest damage.
“There are dead and injured as a result of the enemy attack. According to preliminary information, the strike targeted the territory of a private training ground where an event was taking place. This information is currently being carefully verified,” the administration said.
Criticisms against the event’s organization
One of Ukraine’s most widely followed military monitoring Telegram channels, Nikolaevsky Vanek, also reacted to the strike, drawing parallels with the Russian missile attack on an exhibition in Chernihiv in August 2023.
“I take it August 2023 in Chernihiv didn’t teach anyone anything? Who is going to be held responsible for this?” the channel wrote, referring to the strike on the Chernihiv Drama Theater, where a military technology exhibition was being held.
The channel argued that such events should not be held within range of Russian ballistic missiles.
“You can’t open online registration for an exhibition and expect that 100% of the information won’t reach the f***ers (Russians). It’s simply impossible,” the post said.
Nikolaevsky Vanek also noted that Kyiv and the surrounding region have become the primary targets for Russian ballistic missile attacks.
“The entire ‘monthly quota’ of ballistic missiles is now flying toward Kyiv. Before, they were spread across the country, but now only isolated strikes hit elsewhere. Everything else is aimed at Kyiv and the Kyiv region. So what the f*** kind of exhibitions can be held there?” the channel wrote.
Meanwhile, the widely followed Ukrainian monitoring Telegram channel Exilenova+ echoed Nikolaevsky Vanek’s criticism, arguing that the event was highly vulnerable to Russian intelligence.
“Such information can be processed by OSINT and GEOINT analysts in a matter of minutes. The fate of this event was decided before it even began. It’s surprising that no one paid attention,” the channel wrote.
The post went on to criticize the decision to hold the event within range of Russian missiles.
“They’re once again playing with people’s lives in an area under constant surveillance by a terrorist state that has operational-tactical missile systems specifically for cases like this. Fifth year of the war,” the channel added.
Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said during the national telethon that Russia launched three ballistic missiles during the daytime attack. One was intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses, while the other two struck the Kyiv region.
“The fact that the enemy uses ballistic missiles is no secret. Today, the strikes were carried out during the day rather than at night. There are already discussions that certain events were taking place there. I believe law enforcement and the relevant authorities will determine the circumstances,” Ihnat said.
He added that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have long prohibited holding various events and large public gatherings because of the ongoing threat of Russian missile attacks.
Probe launched for “possible improper performance of official duties”
Kravchenko said the Prosecutor General’s Office has launched a criminal investigation under Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code (violation of the laws and customs of war).
“At the same time, criminal proceedings have also been initiated under Part 3 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding the possible improper performance of official duties in the organization and conduct of the event, which resulted in deaths and other serious consequences,” Kravchenko wrote.
According to him, investigators will determine who authorized the event, who approved its location, timing, and format, what security measures were put in place, and whether the risks under martial law were properly assessed.
“I extend my condolences to the families and loved ones of all those affected by this tragic event,” Kravchenko added.
Rare daytime attack
Kyiv came under a rare daytime Russian ballistic missile attack at around 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Kyiv Post correspondents reported multiple explosions across the city as missiles flew overhead, while the Ukrainian Air Force warned that several ballistic missiles had been launched from the north.
Smoke was seen rising over parts of Kyiv as air defense systems engaged the incoming missiles. Around noon, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said emergency crews had been dispatched to the city’s Sviatoshynskyi district after the strike.
Local monitoring channels identified the missiles as likely Iskander, S-300, or S-400 ballistic missiles. They also reported that Russia may have launched 3M22 Tsirkon cruise missiles from Kursk Oblast.
Russian missile barrages typically occur overnight, making a late-morning ballistic strike highly unusual.
July has also seen a sharp increase in such attacks: according to military outlet Militarnyi, Russia launched 107 ballistic missiles and 20 Tsirkon missiles during the first 19 days of the month – more than its estimated monthly production capacity.
This news story might be updated as more information becomes available.
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