Witness recounts moment Russian missile struck Ukraine drone exhibition

A woman attending a drone exhibition in Ukraine said air raid sirens did not sound when a Russian missile hit, and she survived by standing behind a radar system.

At least 10 people were killed and about 100 injured when Russian forces launched a precision long-range weapon attack on a drone exhibition near Kyiv on 24/7. The Ministry of Defense of Russia announced the strike, stating the target was a drone exhibition showcasing both current and upcoming Ukrainian and foreign-made unmanned aerial vehicles. The ministry added that the event was attended by leading Ukrainian drone developers and manufacturers, representatives from the Unmanned Systems Forces command, and officials from Ukrainian intelligence agencies.

Yulia Gershun, a participant at the exhibition, told Ukraine's Espreso TV that the event began at 11h, with about 500 people in attendance, some arriving late. She described the exhibition as being held outdoors, next to two buildings. There were no air raid sirens when the Russian missile approached, taking everyone by complete surprise.

Witness Gershun speaks in an interview posted by Espreso TV. *Screenshot*

"We heard the ballistic missile coming down, and I only survived because I was standing behind a radar system", Gershun recounted. "Not everyone understood what was happening, and for some, it was too late". She described horrific screams and people losing limbs. Survivors attempted to move bodies into a building or towards a nearby forest, but a second ballistic missile struck just minutes later.

Gershun was then taken by soldiers to a building used as a triage center for the injured. However, without proper first aid supplies, they resorted to using water pipes or "anything they could find" as makeshift tourniquets.

Ukrainian prosecutors and representatives from the country's defense industry confirmed the casualties. The reason why Ukraine's air defense system did not activate an alarm during the Russian strike remains unclear.

The scene of the exhibition on the outskirts of Kyiv after the Russian strike on 24/7. *DSNS Ukraine video* Poland's Defence24 news site reported that an employee of a Polish defense company was killed in the attack, though the individual was not a Polish citizen. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland stated that all injured individuals received consular assistance.Ruslan Kravchenko, Ukraine Prosecutor General, announced an investigation. "We will open an investigation to determine who decided to organize the exhibition and whether the risks were fully assessed under martial law", Kravchenko stated.The exact location of the exhibition was initially disputed. Serhii Beskrestnov, an advisor to the President of Ukraine, initially stated the exhibition took place at a training ground near Kyiv, along the Zhytomyr highway. However, Yuri Ignat, spokesperson for the Air Force of Ukraine, later said the strike targeted a private sports complex.On Ukrainian social media, many users began questioning the event's security. Images of promotional flyers and invitations with registration links, where attendees could obtain location information, circulated widely. "I don't know how to comment on this. What else needs to happen for them to realize the consequences of such actions?", one widely followed account wrote.Beskrestnov, who was initially believed to have attended the exhibition, clarified that he did not appear at the event. He explained his safety protocols: "I often participate in such events, but when I see security risks, I will not go". He added that he avoids locations without proper shelters, those heavily advertised online, or those within range of Russian ballistic missiles.[IMG_TAG]Rescue workers at the scene of the Russian missile strike in Kyiv province on 24/7. *DSNS Ukraine photo*Pham Giang (According to Espreso TV, Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post)

The scene of the exhibition on the outskirts of Kyiv after the Russian strike on 24/7. *DSNS Ukraine video*

Poland's Defence24 news site reported that an employee of a Polish defense company was killed in the attack, though the individual was not a Polish citizen. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland stated that all injured individuals received consular assistance.

Ruslan Kravchenko, Ukraine Prosecutor General, announced an investigation. "We will open an investigation to determine who decided to organize the exhibition and whether the risks were fully assessed under martial law", Kravchenko stated.

The exact location of the exhibition was initially disputed. Serhii Beskrestnov, an advisor to the President of Ukraine, initially stated the exhibition took place at a training ground near Kyiv, along the Zhytomyr highway. However, Yuri Ignat, spokesperson for the Air Force of Ukraine, later said the strike targeted a private sports complex.

On Ukrainian social media, many users began questioning the event's security. Images of promotional flyers and invitations with registration links, where attendees could obtain location information, circulated widely. "I don't know how to comment on this. What else needs to happen for them to realize the consequences of such actions?", one widely followed account wrote.

Beskrestnov, who was initially believed to have attended the exhibition, clarified that he did not appear at the event. He explained his safety protocols: "I often participate in such events, but when I see security risks, I will not go". He added that he avoids locations without proper shelters, those heavily advertised online, or those within range of Russian ballistic missiles.