Major Gennadiy Chastyakov, an aide to the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s military, tragically lost his life after receiving a live grenade as a birthday present that was immediately detonated by his 13-year-old son. The gift box also included alcohol and six grenades, officials said.
The incident occurred when Chastyakov received the gift box from a colleague for his birthday, which contained several “Western model” grenades, according to Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Chastyakov’s son picked up one of the grenades and started turning the ring, which led to the weapon detonating as Chastyakov tried to take it from him.
Although Chastyakov’s son was seriously injured in the explosion and is receiving medical treatment, his daughter also suffered minor injuries. Additionally, police found five more unexploded grenades in the apartment. The individual who gave the gift to Chastyakov has been identified and two similar grenades were found during a search of his office, according to authorities.
The Ministry of Interior has initiated criminal proceedings and is conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident. However, the ministry later stated that based on preliminary information, the death is considered an “accident” resulting from negligent ammunition handling.
It is reported that Chastyakov was a close friend and reliable assistant to Major General Valery Zaluzhny, who leads Ukrainian troops in the war with Russia. Zaluzhny expressed his grief over Chastyakov’s death and described him as a trustworthy colleague who dedicated his life to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the fight against Russian aggression.
The tragic incident has sparked controversy as it comes amid public difference of opinion between Zaluzhny and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the state of the war. Zaluzhny’s recent comments to the Economist regarding the state of the war were disputed by Zelensky’s office, reflecting the ongoing tensions and challenges faced by the Ukrainian military.
The circumstances surrounding the incident have shed light on the dangers associated with the mishandling of weapons and the need for stricter safety measures in the handling of ammunition.