On Friday, July 24, the Kyiv region became the site of a tragedy of international scale. A Russian ballistic missile struck a private sports complex where the "Critically Protected" exhibition by the "ARMADA" association was taking place. According to the latest data, 10 people were killed and about 100 were injured as a result of the attack. Among the victims were representatives of the defense industry and foreign delegates.

Personal Responsibility vs. State Protection

The event triggered a stormy reaction within the Ukrainian leadership, exposing a deep rift in approaches to security. Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov called the attack a "war crime" and an "act of terrorism," noting that the strike was deliberate, occurring while foreign guests were in Kyiv. However, Budanov shifted the focus to the organizers: in his words, in wartime conditions, they must bear personal responsibility for the lives of participants. "If security is not guaranteed at the highest level, then there is no event," he emphasized.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his evening address, also blamed the tragedy on "Russian terrorism" but harshly criticized the very idea of holding such events. He stated that holding arms exhibitions with large crowds, especially near residential areas, is unacceptable. "But we have already told everyone a thousand times that under such wartime conditions, absolutely no arms exhibitions can be held," Zelenskyy said, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased.

Industry Position: Risk is Necessary

Representatives of Ukraine's defense sector hold a different position. Igor Fedirko, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Council of Arms Manufacturers, reminded that the entire industry is a priority target for Russian aggression. In his opinion, refusing tests and demonstrations of weapons is impossible, as the appearance of new developments on the front depends on this. However, Fedirko acknowledged that human safety must be an unconditional priority and called for systemic solutions to protect engineers and military personnel.

Andriy Hrytsenyuk, head of the company Brave1, clarifying that his structure was not the organizer of the exhibition, called what happened a "great loss for the industry." The National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) also stated that the protection of manufacturers must become a matter of systemic state attention.

Investigation and Clarification of Details

General Prosecutor Ruslan Kравченко reported the opening of two criminal proceedings. The first investigation is being conducted under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (war crimes). The second, no less important, concerns the possible improper performance of official duties by the event organizers, which could have led to the death of people.

Spokesperson of the Ukrainian Air Force Yuriy Ignat clarified a key detail: the missile hit a private sports complex, not an Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) range, which confirms the version of a deliberate choice of target or a coordination error, but unequivocally points to catastrophic consequences for civilian infrastructure.