In a shocking incident at the Keretsky village council headquarters in the Zakarpattia region of western Ukraine, a village councillor detonated hand grenades during a heated meeting, resulting in 26 individuals sustaining injuries. The incident unfolded on Friday morning and has since prompted the initiation of a terrorism probe by the Ukrainian Secret Service (SBU) and a separate investigation into the illicit handling of weapons by the national police.
The dramatic scene, captured on police video uploaded to Telegram, revealed a man clad in black entering the council meeting during a contentious debate. Amidst shouts from attendees, the man proceeded to extract three hand grenades from his pockets, unfasten the safety pins, and drop them to the ground, triggering explosions.
The police statement confirmed that 26 people were wounded, with six individuals in grave condition. Medical professionals were reportedly working urgently to resuscitate the assailant, whose identity has not been disclosed by authorities.
A live video shared on social media by the committee showcased the attacker entering the debate more than 1.5 hours in, standing near the door, and launching the assault. The chaotic scene unfolded in a darkened room filled with smoke, with injured individuals sprawled on the floor.
The incident underscores the accessibility of weaponry among Ukrainians amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. As investigations unfold, the community grapples with the aftermath of this shocking act of violence within the confines of their local governance.
