Ukraine's commander in chief, General Valeriy Zaluzhniy, said his “assistant and close friend” Major Hennadiy Chastyakov, 39, was killed when an explosive device ignited in what was thought to be a birthday gift. Zaluzhniy’s Telegram statement on November 6 didn't provide details, but he said Chastyakov is survived by his wife and four children. Zaluzhniy said Chastyakov has been a reliable aide for him since the beginning of the Russian invasion of February 2022. The incident occurred in Chaykiy village in the Kyiv region. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko later called the incident an accident, saying Chastyakov had been showing a gift -- a box of Western-manufactured grenades – to his son when a grenade exploded. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, click here.
Ukrainian Military Chief Says Aide Killed In Explosion During Birthday Celebration
General Valeriy Zaluzhniy (file photo)