One of the close associates of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (A/GED) of Ukraine, Major Gennady Chastyakov, was killed yesterday Monday by an explosion that occurred at his home, during the celebration of his birthday.

“My partner and close friend met a tragic death while celebrating his birthday with relatives,” announced General Valery Zaluzny, General Valery Zaluzny, in a post on the Telegram platform. According to him, the accident was caused by an explosion during the opening of presents for the major’s birthday.

Ukraine’s interior minister described in a Telegram post how the fatal explosion happened. Major Chastyakov had just returned home with birthday presents from colleagues, including a box of hand grenades which he wanted to show his 13-year-old son.

The child took a grenade and “began to twist the fibula,” wrote Ihor Klimenko. His father grabbed the grenade from the child’s hand and “the pin was pulled, causing the fatal explosion,” he wrote.

The explosion seriously injured the major’s 13-year-old son, who was taken to a hospital.

Ukraine’s interior minister said the soldier who gave the grenades to Major Chastyakov has been identified. He explained that he considered it appropriate to clarify the circumstances under which the tragic incident took place, although the investigation is ongoing, in order to avoid misinformation.