Budanov arrives at scene in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, where clashes continue. VIDEO
Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov has arrived at the scene in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka in the Kyiv region, where unrest continues outside a house where National Guard servicemen had been staying.
Ukrinform and UNIAN correspondents at the scene reported this, according to Censor.NET.
"I came here to find out what the f#ck is going on here," Budanov said, according to media reports.
He said people who had been inside the building were being brought out.
UNIAN reports that Budanov spoke with a 14-year-old boy found at the scene. The boy explained that he had come there "with the guys". Budanov helped him contact his sister and arranged for relatives to come and take him home.
Budanov also spoke with the crowd gathered outside the house.
Budanov said that the circumstances surrounding the operation of such facilities and cases of absence without leave would be examined.
According to him, more than ten people were able to enter the building in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka. They inspected the premises and asked questions, which were answered.
Those at the scene are currently trying to arrange the departure of a bus to take servicemen who need medical assistance to hospital.
- Budanov said that the existence of such facilities, the conditions inside and the reasons servicemen go absent without leave would be examined tomorrow.
Meanwhile, protesters continue to demand the release of National Guard servicemen.
According to a hromadske correspondent, the clashes have intensified: unidentified individuals are setting off smoke grenades and have broken windows and smashed the fence outside the house.
Background
- Earlier, reports circulated online alleging that, on 2 November, armed people were holding around 40 hostages in the basement of a house in the village of Petropavlivska Borshchahivka near Kyiv. Some were reportedly in a serious condition, and medical personnel were being denied access.
- According to Kyiv region police, they were contacted by staff from a private ambulance service who were being prevented from reaching one person.
- Police said that reports of people being held unlawfully in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka and of one of them having died were false.
- National Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko confirmed that National Guard service members who had gone absent without leave were in the house, and that four of them required medical attention and were sent to hospital.
- Pivnenko also said that the private house was being used as temporary accommodation for National Guard service members. Mobilised personnel arrived there, underwent processing and checks, and were then sent to a training centre.
- The Office of the Military Ombudsman worked at the scene in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka alongside the National Guard of Ukraine’s command. An inquiry has been ordered.
- The National Guard will order an internal investigation into the incident.
