Lawyer Kateryna Shalupnia killed in strike on arms exhibition in Kyiv Oblast

Victim was a prominent lawyer and activist

Kateryna Shalupnia, originally from Chernihiv, was killed in a Russian missile strike on July 24 that hit a training ground in Kyiv Oblast where an arms exhibition was taking place. She served as head of the legal department at the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils (UAROR).

MP Mariia Mezentseva stated she knew Shalupnia from their joint work in international policy and the Kharkiv branch of the Servant of the People party, where Kateryna coordinated the regional Zelenskyy's Team Women movement. Mezentseva called her death "an irreparable loss for her family, the entire team and the cause to which she devoted herself every day."

UAROR described Shalupnia as "a wonderful person and a true professional," emphasizing she embodied the young generation of Ukrainians – educated, responsible, deeply humane and highly professional experts who build the future of the state daily. The Kharkiv branch of Servant of the People thanked her for "her kindness, sincere smile, open heart and everything she did for the team."

A farewell ceremony for Kateryna will take place on July 27 at 11:00 at St Volodymyr's Cathedral in Kyiv. She will subsequently be buried in her native Chernihiv.

Details of the attack and investigation

Russian forces struck the arms exhibition at the training ground on July 24, killing at least 10 people and injuring hundreds. Among the dead was Valentyna Savitska, a communications officer of the State Security Administration of Ukraine.

Law enforcement has launched a criminal investigation. The event organizer, Vasyl Honcharuk, who is under guard at a medical facility, has been served with a notice of suspicion. A preventive measure is expected to be chosen for him on July 27.