15 Including the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and several children who died in a helicopter crash near a kindergarten.

A government helicopter was reportedly carrying Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky to the front line when it crashed. Apparently, debris fell on the playground of the kindergarten before the big fire started. Among the 15 dead are Minister of the Interior Monastyrsky, his deputy Yevgeny Yenin, State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Yuri Lubkovich and at least three children.

A picture of government material from Ukrinform shows burning buildings after a helicopter crash near Kvoi on Wednesday.

Then-Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Denis Monastyrsky (left), who died in a plane crash, photographed the presentation of medals at a ceremony in Kyiv in June 2022 (Photo by Oleksandr Gusev/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

While the number of reported injuries varies greatly from source to source, the Ukrainian government’s own press portal reports 29 injured, including 15 children.

There is no indication yet whether the accident was due to mechanical failure, pilot error, or enemy action. The BBC reports a statement from a Ukrainian air force spokesman who says the investigation is likely to take several days.

Interior Minister Monastyrsky, who was reportedly a close ally of Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy, is the highest-ranking government member to be killed in the war sparked by Russia’s invasion last year. Politicians have already been given their due. Zelensky said about the plane crash: “Today, a terrible tragedy occurred in Brovary, Kyiv region. The SChS helicopter crashed, a fire broke out at the crash site. The pain is unspeakable.”

A military stand at the site of a helicopter crash near a kindergarten in Brovary, near Kyiv, that killed sixteen people, including two children and the Ukrainian interior minister, on January 18, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Sergei Supinsky/AFP) (Photo by SERGEY SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

People’s Deputy of Ukraine Maria Mezentseva spoke from Davos, where the World Economic Forum is currently taking place, and said: “My first feelings when I saw the news. I thought it was fake,” she said, “but unfortunately it is true… He answered 24/7 to his colleagues, friends and family and we will always remember him as a very bright smiley, friendly, patriotic person and public servant Ukraine… he was very close to President Zelensky, being by his side from day one to the start of his election campaign.”

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said of Monastyrsky’s death: “The tragic news of the helicopter crash in Ukraine this morning… Denis was a true friend of the UK. We are ready to support Ukraine in every possible way.” Swella Braverman, who as UK Home Secretary fills a role similar to Monastic’s, said: “It’s really heartbreaking. Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky was a leader in supporting the Ukrainian people during Putin’s illegal invasion, and when we spoke in October, I was struck by his determination, optimism and patriotism… My thoughts go out to all those who died in this terrible tragedy and their families . The UK will always support our Ukrainian friends.”

KYIV, UKRAINE – JANUARY 18: People mourn as police cordon off the helicopter crash site in the city of Brovary, Kyiv region of Ukraine on January 18, 2023. At least 16 people were killed, including the country’s interior minister, his first deputy, and the secretary of state. (Photo by Alexei Chumachenko/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

KYIV, UKRAINE – JANUARY 18: Firefighters work at the site of a helicopter crash in the city of Brovary, Kyiv region of Ukraine on January 18, 2023. At least 16 people were killed, including the country’s interior minister, his first deputy minister and the state. secretary. (Photo by Alexei Chumachenko/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)