Primate expresses condolences for victims of plane crash near Kharkiv

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine. Photo: news.church.ua

Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the plane crash AN-26, which took place on the evening of September 25, 2020, near Chuguev, Kharkiv region, reports the UOC Information and Education Department.

"The news of the tragedy that took place near the town of Chuguev and took the lives of more than 20 people – cadets and employees of the Kharkiv Air Force University of Ukraine, filled our hearts with deep sorrow. We pray that the Merciful Lord will rest the souls of the victims, give health to those servicemen who survived and are in treatment, and comfort the hearts of relatives and friends," said the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

As reported, on September 25, when landing at about 20:50 on the Kyiv-Kharkiv-Dovzhansk highway, near the military airport of Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region, a military aircraft AN-26 fell and caught fire. On board were crew members, cadets and officers of the Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University of Kharkiv – 27 people in total. According to the latest data, 25 dead were found at the crash site, two victims, one of whom subsequently died, were sent to hospital.

The President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky announced September 26, 2020, the day of national mourning.

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