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<\/p>\nA Ukrainian commander's aide was killed in a blast while opening a birthday present in front of his young son.<\/p>\n
General Valerii Zaluzhnyi says an "unknown explosive device went off in one of the gifts" received by his ally, Major Hennady Chastyakov, 39. The blast also injured Major Chastyakov's son, 13. <\/p>\n
Initially believed to be a planted Russian bomb, it was later revealed the explosive devices inside the present had been gifted from one military man to another. Alongside a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label were six grenades.<\/p>\n
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For the latest news and updates on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, click here.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Colonel Alexander Timchenko had sent the explosive gift as a tragic blunder which has caused "unspeakable pain" for General Zaluzhnyi. A note was sent alongside the present from the top brass official.<\/p>\n
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Colonel Timchenko's note read: "It's hard to surprise you, so I'm giving you combat grenades and a bottle of good whisky." But the grenades were believed to be duds, and Major Chastyakov began toying around with them.<\/p>\n
A report from the scene said: "He picked up his children from school and began to sort through the gifts with them. He thought that the box did not contain live grenades, but rather [whisky] glasses [shaped like grenades]."<\/p>\n
Further accounts from Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko read: "First, the son took the grenade in his hands and began to twist the ring. Then the serviceman took the grenade from the child and pulled the ring, triggering a tragic explosion."<\/p>\n
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It is unclear yet if Timchenko will face prosecution for the death which Zaluzhnyi branded a "heavy loss for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and for me personally".<\/p>\n
Two further unexploded grenades were found in his office, while tributes were sent from the commander-in-chief. They said: "From the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Hennady was a reliable shoulder for me, completely devoting his life to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the fight against Russian aggression.<\/p>\n
"The reasons and circumstances will be established during the pre-trial investigation. Eternal memory!"<\/p>\n
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