Oleksandr Turchynov: Emergency event in Kyiv region brought to light a lot of problematic issues

Emergency event in Kyiv region brought to light a lot of problematic issues. Such was stated by NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov in his comments.

According to him, the rescuers of State Emergency Service of Ukraine demonstrated courage in fighting the fire and did everything to localize the combustion, "even at the cost of their lives - three rescuers were killed while performing their duties". "In general, five people were killed in a fire", - he added.

NSDC Secretary stressed that the fight against fire revealed extremely low technical equipment of firefighters - lack of modern means of protection and fire extinguishing. "This issue should be solved in a shortest terms, even in an extremely difficult financial situation which Ukraine is being now. Because losses from fire is much greater than expenditures for new equipment", - he said, adding that human lives are priceless.

In addition, Oleksandr Turchynov remarked on the illegality of the construction of oil depot by Yanukovych's surrounding "directly outside the fence of the military base in order to use for free the logistic infrastructure built by the military".

"Now we may tell that at the military base which serviced Vasilkov military airfield, a large arsenal of ammunition of significant capacity were stored", - said Oleksandr Turchynov.

He also said that the military having defended in difficult conditions the warehouses from fire, that was burning only in dozen meters, "have been able to take away all dangerous ammunition arsenal". "Directly Minister of Defence Stepan Poltorak were supervising the operation", - Oleksandr Turchynov said.

NSDC Secretary noted that the decision to evacuate people from the 10-kilometer zone had been canceled only after the report of the Minister of Defence and Chief of State Emergency Service that the fire no longer threatened military warehouses.

Oleksandr Turchynov stressed that the fight against corruption, "which permeated the whole country" remains the urgent issue: "The oil depot was illegally and without any permits built by Yanukovych's closest surrounding".

Moreover, the investigation considers the version that the fire setting was not accidental - but to hide the petroleum products, regarding which Ministry of Interior has the ongoing inquiry" - he said. NSDC Secretary stated that all involved in this tragedy and those who turned a blind eye to the construction of the fire hazardous facility next to the military arsenals will bear criminal responsibility.

Oleksandr Turchynov said that the appropriate authorities had been instructed to check all military bases and arsenals on a dangerous neighborhood and to bring the surrounding area into compliance with applicable regulations and legislation.

NSDC Secretary thanked all rescuers and soldiers, who faithfully carried out their duty, and expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen.