Preventive Measure Imposed on Suspect in Vyshneve Explosion Case

The Solomianskyi District Court of Kyiv on July 17 chose a preventive measure for Ruslan Kuchynskyi, a top manager of the Ukrainian defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom, who is suspected of negligence in the case of the ammunition detonation in Vyshneve on July 6. According to media reports from the courtroom, the court ordered detention without the possibility of bail for 60 days, until September 14. Lawyers and prosecutors declined to comment. A preventive measure for the second suspect is still being decided.

Journalists reported that the general director of the defense enterprise and his deputy were detained for storing ammunition in unsuitable hangars without necessary permits near residential areas. The Prosecutor General earlier stated that placing such objects near civilian housing is directly prohibited by legislation, government decrees, and decisions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff.

Background: On the night of July 6, Russia launched a massive combined strike on Ukraine using attack drones and various types of missiles. Air defense neutralized 363 out of 419 targets, but 29 ballistic missiles and 18 attack drones hit 34 locations. In the Kyiv region, 9 people were killed and 58 injured. In Vyshneve, nearly 500 residents were evacuated due to the threat of repeated detonation. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the object in Vyshneve where the repeated detonation occurred was not under the control or subordination of the military.

On July 9, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that an ammunition depot of a Ukroboronprom enterprise had exploded in Vyshneve as a result of the Russian strike, announced a criminal case, and promised dismissals. On July 16, the general director of the defense sector enterprise and his deputy were detained and notified of suspicion of negligence that caused grave consequences and loss of life. Both officials were dismissed from their positions. Ukrainian Pravda reported that the suspects were Mykola Andriyash, the general director, and his deputy Ruslan Kuchynskyi.