Five suspects in the case of explosions near Zhytomyr are charged
7 July 2025 21:40
The National Police has served five people with a notice of suspicion in connection with the explosions that occurred on July 2 in the village of Berezina, Zhytomyr region. The tragedy killed two people and injured 83 others, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
The pre-trial investigation established that in the summer of 2024, a 60-year-old resident of Sumy region, together with four accomplices, organized the illegal production of explosives and devices. For this purpose, an underground production facility was set up in the village of Berezina on the basis of abandoned premises – a former cowshed, weighing room and warehouse.
His business partner, a 31-year-old resident of Kyiv, was engaged in the technical support of the premises, the supply of chemical components and the organization of processes. Another accomplice, a 50-year-old chemist from Sumy region, developed the explosives recipe, managed production, and supervised two employees who lived at the facility.
The finished products were stored in unsuitable premises, without proper permits, in close proximity to residential buildings.
on July 2, at around 18:00, a fire broke out due to gross safety violations, causing a series of powerful explosions – estimated to be equivalent to more than 4 tons of TNT.
The tragedy killed 16- and 26-year-old local residents. 83 people were injured, including a Japanese citizen. The damage caused by the explosions amounted to over UAH 46 million. Dozens of buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure facilities were damaged and the air was polluted.
Under the procedural supervision of the Zhytomyr Regional Prosecutor’s Office, three suspects – two managers and one employee – were charged with violating the rules for handling explosives (Article 28(2), Article 263(1), Article 263-1(2), Article 267(2) of the Criminal Code). The prosecutor’s office has already filed a motion with the court to take the accused into custody.
Earlier it was reported that the explosions destroyed a paramedic and obstetric station, a library, a club, and damaged kindergartens, schools, and the Kmytiv Museum of Fine Arts named after Y. Bukhanchuk. The electricity supply has been fully restored in the Hlybochytsia community.
