Explosions in Zhytomyr Region: Illegal Production of Explosives Leads to Tragedy
On July 2, two explosions occurred near the Kyiv-Chop highway due to illegal manufacturing of explosive materials by five accomplices.
This information was confirmed by the National Police and the Prosecutor General's Office.
In the evening of July 2, in the village of Berezina, two explosions took place, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 83 others. The total damages are estimated to exceed 46 million hryvnias.
The investigation revealed that in the summer of 2024, a 60-year-old man from Sumy region, along with four accomplices, organized the illegal production of explosives for profit.
They equipped premises of a former entrepreneur in Berezina village for this purpose. His partner, a 31-year-old resident of Kyiv, ensured the connection of the premises to necessary utilities and set up the production process, as well as the supply of chemicals.
Another accomplice, a 50-year-old chemist, developed the recipe for the explosives. He controlled the production process and managed the workers, who lived on the premises.
The explosives were stored in inadequate conditions, without permits, licenses, or certifications, in close proximity to residential houses.
Due to violations in the production process, a fire broke out on July 2 at 6:00 PM, leading to a detonation and subsequent explosions with a force exceeding four tons in TNT equivalent.
As a result, two local residents aged 16 and 26 died, and 83 people sustained injuries of varying severity. The total damages amounted to over 46 million hryvnias.
On July 7, the Zhytomyr regional prosecutor's office announced suspicions against three individuals for violating rules regarding the handling of explosive substances: two business leaders and one of their employees.
