“Several theories” are being assessed in the investigation into the crash of a helicopter near kyiv which claimed the life of the Ukrainian Interior Minister and 13 other people near kyiv on Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“The investigation is ongoing. Several theories are being studied and I am not authorized to speak regarding the different hypotheses until the outcome of the investigations“, explains the Ukrainian president.
7:28 GMT. Volodymyr Zelensky says he intends to retake Crimea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he intended to take back Crimea annexed by Russia in 2014. He calls on his Western partners to deliver more weapons to him.
“Our goal is to liberate all of our territories“, says the leader. “Crimea is our land, our territory, our sea and our mountains. Give us your guns and we’ll get our lands back“, he continues.
7:10 a.m. UT. Charles Michel goes to kyiv
The President of the European Council Charles Michel announces that he is “on the way to Kyiv” where he must discuss new support measures for Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The latter is calling for faster arms deliveries.
The two leaders will discuss “concrete measures (…) to ensure that (Ukraine) is stronger and more powerful“, declares Charles Michel in a video message posted on Twitter. NATO allies have promised kyiv “increased support with heavier and more modern weaponsto counter Russian offensives.
6:57 UT. How does Ukraine respond to German hesitations?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticizes Germany’s reluctance to allow heavy tank deliveries, saying it was not the “good strategy“.
There are times when one should not hesitate or compare oneself. When someone says ‘I won’t deliver tanks if someone else does’.Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
He spoke by videoconference during a breakfast at the Davos Forum. He was referring to press reports that Berlin will only deliver advanced tanks if the United States delivers Abrams tanks.
4:18 UT. Helicopter crash investigation begins
The Ukrainian authorities are starting a criminal investigation ordered by President Volodymyr Zelensky, following the death of Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky in the crash of his helicopter which killed at least 14 people. “The Security Service of Ukraine has opened a criminal investigation into this terrible event“, declares the Ukrainian president in a speech.
“I instructed the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with all other authorized bodies, to clarify all the circumstances of the disaster“, he specifies. The helicopter, a Super Puma EC-225 (Airbus Helicopters) according to the State Service for Emergency Situations (SES) to which it belonged, crashed on January 18 in Brovary , near Kyiv.
According to the same source, nine people were on board the aircraft, including the minister and his deputy. According to a latest report attributed to the same source, 14 people died, including a child, and 25 injured were hospitalized, including 11 children.
4:00 UT. What happened in Brovary?
The helicopter carrying the Ukrainian Minister of the Interior crashed near a kindergarten. At least 18 people died, including the minister himself but also 3 children. The reasons for this crash are still unknown.
