In the Kyiv region, Russian forces launched a missile strike on a training ground where an exhibition and demonstration of defense products was taking place. The attack resulted in casualties and destruction.
In the Kyiv region, Russian forces launched a missile strike on a training ground where an exhibition and demonstration of defense products was taking place. The attack resulted in casualties and destruction.
The strike was reported by the founder of the defense company First Contact (FC) and a combat participant, Valeriy Borovik. The first footage from the scene of the strike has already appeared online.
According to available information, the open-air event was announced through closed and shared chats.
This is probably the Defense Demo Day & Defense Expo exhibition, organized by the Armada Association of Manufacturers of Unmanned Systems and Related Technologies, which was scheduled for July 24, 2026.
According to the event poster, this is a practical demonstration event dedicated to comprehensive solutions for protecting critical infrastructure from modern air threats.
Initially, reports surfaced online stating that military expert and communications advisor Serhii «Flash» Beskrestnov was present at the event. However, he later refuted this information and clarified that he had not attended the exhibition at all:“Friends, I was not there, nor did I plan to be at that training ground. I wrote on my page for friends that I was fine, as everyone knows I often attend such events. Dozens (if not hundreds) of these various events are held. When I see risks, I don’t go to the training ground,» Beskrestnov explained.
Later, the Ukrainian Armorers Council confirmed the attack on the training ground: «Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded. Information regarding the exact location of the participants was not publicly disclosed. The circumstances of the strike are being established by competent authorities. The Armorers Council team was not the organizer of the event, but remains in touch with colleagues and is providing the necessary support.»
Over time, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko provided data on the number of casualties and injured: «10 people were killed, and about 100 more sustained injuries of varying degrees of severity.»
The Prosecutor General noted that the Prosecutor General’s Office is supervising the criminal proceedings regarding this war crime under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. In addition, an investigation has been launched under Part 3 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine into possible neglect of official duties during the organization of the event, which led to tragic consequences.
«The investigation will establish who decided to hold the event, who agreed on the location, time, and format, what security measures were provided, and whether the risks under martial law were properly assessed,» the Prosecutor General stated.
Later, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat reported that the strike hit a private sports complex hosting an exhibition, rather than a military training ground. He emphasized that this civilian facility is not under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. According to Ihnat, Russia launched Iskander-M and S-400 missiles at the site, with Ukrainian air defense forces successfully shooting down one Iskander missile.
