A tragic drinking session in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine ended with three young men dead after a grenade they mishandled exploded. According to witnesses, one of the men pulled the safety pin from the explosive device while intoxicated, failing to throw it away in time. The incident has prompted police to appeal to citizens to avoid storing weapons and ammunition.
The accident occurred on Tuesday in the town of Zlatopil, Kharkiv region. Two 24-year-old men and a 27-year-old met near a car and decided to drink alcohol. The situation turned deadly when one of them took off his sweatshirt and handed it to a companion.
Witnesses reported that the second man checked the pocket of the sweatshirt and found a grenade. He carelessly pulled the safety pin but did not manage to throw the device away. All three residents of the Kharkiv region died on the spot.
Deadly mistake under the influence
– Police are currently establishing all circumstances of the tragedy. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing – said the authorities. A photo released by Ukrainian police shows a car with a shattered rear window and a nearly completely destroyed trunk lid. In the background, other vehicles can be seen with broken windows, likely from the shockwave.
The case has been classified as an accident, but due to the grenade explosion, a thorough investigation is necessary, including determining the origin of the explosive device.
Proliferation of weapons a growing concern
– We urge citizens not to store weapons, ammunition or explosives. Any careless handling can lead to fatal consequences – stated the Kharkiv regional police in an official statement. Since the start of the full-scale war with Russia, tens of thousands of firearms have been issued to civilians as part of forming self-defense groups.
Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly noted that after the conflict ends, recovering illegally stored weapons – including grenades and explosives – will be one of the biggest challenges in restoring order and safety. The tragedy in Zlatopil highlights the ongoing risk posed by unsecured munitions in civilian hands.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
