Ukraine detains weapons show organiser after Russian strike kills 11 near Kyiv

A Ukrainian court ordered weapons industry association chief Vasyl Goncharuk detained without bail on Monday after a Russian ballistic missile strike killed at least 11 people at a weapons exhibition outside Kyiv.

Prosecutors accused Goncharuk of negligence leading to loss of life following Friday’s strike on a shooting range. An AFP journalist at the hearing reported that the Kyiv court remanded him in custody pending trial.

Russia’s defence ministry confirmed that it had struck the site, saying the event included a demonstration of Ukrainian and foreign-made drones.

Ukrainian Prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko said investigators were examining whether the organisation of the exhibition increased the scale of the casualties. He said more than 300 people—including military personnel, government representatives and business figures—had been invited without official authorisation, while only limited shelter was available.

Investigators are also examining whether promotion of the event on social media may have helped Russia prepare a targeted attack.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the exhibition “certainly should not have been taking place there.”

The death toll rose from 10 to 11 on Monday after a Ukrainian diplomat working for Malta died from his injuries.