At least ten people were killed and about a hundred injured by a Russian ballistic missile strike on a private training ground in the Kiev region, where a Ukrainian defense industry event was underway.
The attack took place on Friday, July 24, 2026, in the Butsa area, near the Ukrainian capital. According to Ukrainian media, the exhibition of weapons and unmanned systems “ARMADA” was taking place at the site, with the participation of representatives of defense technology companies.
Ukraine's Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko announced that the toll so far stands at ten dead and about a hundred injured, some of whom are in serious condition. Search and rescue operations are continuing, while authorities warn that the number of victims may change.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that strong emergency forces were operating in the area, without initially disclosing the exact location of the attack. The attack also caused damage to buildings, vehicles and other facilities.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia fired three ballistic missiles towards the Kiev region. One was reportedly intercepted, while two hits were recorded. Initial reports of ten missiles were not confirmed.
The Ukrainian Defense Industry Council confirmed that representatives from the defense sector were present at the exhibition. However, it said it was not the organizer of the exhibition and that the exact location of the participants had not been officially disclosed.
Despite this statement, information about the event was reportedly leaked online in advance, raising serious questions about the security measures taken for a large gathering of defense industry executives in the midst of war.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor's Office has opened two separate investigations. The first concerns the Russian missile strike as a possible war crime. The second is examining whether there was negligence or dereliction of duty in organizing the exhibition, which may have exposed a large number of people to mortal danger.
The names or identities of all the victims have not yet been officially released. Therefore, the claim that all of the dead were manufacturers or “arms dealers” cannot be confirmed. Those present may have included workers, technicians, military personnel, visitors, and support personnel.
The attack is one of the deadliest strikes against a Ukrainian defense industry cluster, and it exposes the serious security vulnerabilities that can arise when military technology events are held in known or traceable locations during an active war.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Kyiv Post, Meduza.
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