Police find officer who gifted live grenades to Zaluzhnyi’s aide
Ukrainian police have identified the colleague of Hennadiy Chastyakov who gave him a birthday present of several live grenades, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko announced on Nov. 6.
Chastyakov died in his home near Kyiv when one of the grenades exploded earlier on Nov. 6. He served as an aide to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
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According to Klymenko, Chastyakov had returned home with gifts from colleagues and began showing them to his family. He showed his son one of the new Western-made grenades that were in the gift box.
The minister reported that the child took hold of a grenade and began to twist the pin. After this, Chastyakov took the ammunition from his son and ‘pulled the pin, causing the tragic explosion.’
The minister added that police have found five undetonated grenades in the apartment, all of which will be sent for examination.
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Police tracked down the colleague who had gifted the grenades to Chastyakov. His office was searched, and another two identical grenades were confiscated as investigation continues.
RBC-Ukraine reported that the grenades were given to Chastyakov by Col. Andriy Timchenko. A source told journalists that the wooden gift box contained a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label whiskey and six grenades. The colonel kept two grenades for himself. Timchenko reportedly told Chastyakov, ‘It's hard to surprise you, so I'm giving you live grenades and a bottle of good whiskey.’
According to photos published by journalists, they appear to be modern German DM51A2 grenades.
Zaluzhnyi earlier confirmed the death of his assistant, Hennadiy Chastyakov, who left behind a wife and four children. Chastyakov's 13-year-old son was also injured in the explosion and was hospitalized with serious injuries.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
