Recent incidents involving Russian-made Shahed drones that survived their initial crash have resulted in five fatalities in various regions of Ukraine. The victims, who approached the crash sites, were killed by subsequent explosions. Defense Ministry advisor Sergey “Flash” Beskrestnov urged the public to stay away from the wreckage.
Beskrestnov reported on April 1 that these drones, after falling, have been detonating later, posing a significant risk to those nearby. Among the deceased, four individuals lost their lives in the Cherkasy region.
“Currently, we do not understand the reasons for these occurrences,” Flash stated.
He emphasized the need for caution, advising individuals not to approach any remnants of the Shahed drones, regardless of whether an explosion had already taken place. He also called on police and rescue services to take note of this warning.
On April 1, an attack involving Russian drones in the Zolotonosha district of Cherkasy resulted in the deaths of four men aged 28, 30, 53, and 60, as reported by regional military administration chief Igor Taburets. All four were killed by the explosion of a Shahed that fell on open land near a village in the area.
Local resident Vasyl Cherinko recounted that a colleague had stopped to inspect a drone lying in a field. After Cherinko and another friend moved away, the colleague approached closer, leading to the explosion. Among the deceased was 53-year-old volunteer Ivan Stepaniuk, who had been evacuating the injured and repairing equipment under fire.
Julia Norovkova, spokesperson for the State Emergency Service of Cherkasy, reiterated the importance of safety: “If you see a suspicious or potentially explosive object, do not approach or touch it. Call numbers 101 or 102 for assistance.”
The Cherkasy regional prosecutor’s office has initiated a preliminary investigation under Article 438 of the Criminal Code, concerning war crimes, according to spokesperson Irina Holovnya.
The recent explosions from downed Shahed drones in Ukraine have resulted in five deaths, prompting officials to warn the public against approaching wreckage. Investigations into these incidents are underway as authorities seek to understand the causes of the delayed detonations.