The 55-year-old victim, who was previously in critical condition in the intensive care unit, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 16. Moreover, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated that 26 people, including the suspect, sustained injuries from the incident. Most were diagnosed with shrapnel wounds.
The alleged bomber, who is now conscious and was identified by Ukrainian politician Oleksii Honcharenko to be Serhiy Batrin, a deputy from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Servant of the People party, remains under medical and police supervision in the hospital. The case is set to be reclassified as a terrorist act resulting in loss of life and the deputy responsible for detonating the grenades has already been informed of suspicion under charges related to a terrorist act leading to serious consequences.
As seen in the viral yet distressing video below, the 54-year-old local politician walks into the meeting room and closes the door behind him. He stands at the closed door as an argument is ongoing at the meeting. He tried to intervene saying, "Can I say something?" but nobody paid attention. This is when he pulls grenades from his suit pocket, pulls the pins and tosses them. He then pulls out a third grenade and apparently holds onto it after pulling the pin.
"My legs, I can't walk…my legs are cut,” said one victim after the massive explosion. Another said: "Call the ambulance." And a voice was also heard: "Pull me out."
The police conducted searches at the suspect's residence and found a "suicide note" with undisclosed contents. Interior Minister Ihor Klimenko mentioned that the suspect had premeditated the act. According to Honcharenko's Telegram update, the council had met to discuss its 2024 budget. There were also reports that Batrin had expressed his fury over water problems in the village when a large sum was paid to the director of the utility company. He was in 'eternal opposition' to the ruling faction on the council, local media reported.
However, there were claims that the said meeting was for people who want Ukraine to surrender and make peace with Russia. But reports also insist that the act is not believed to be related to the ongoing war.
Kyiv's military force starting to "weaken” this winter
Meanwhile, as there may be a possibility that people are really tired of the war, the Ukrainian military is starting to feel "gloomy" after nearly two years of the Russian invasion of their country. (Related: Ukrainian military rapidly losing manpower as Zelensky regime refuses to negotiate ceasefire with Russia.)
Despite a disappointing counteroffensive this summer and signs of wavering financial support from allies, Kyiv's soldiers said they remain fiercely determined to win. But as winter approaches, they begin to worry that Moscow could be better equipped for battle. According to some insiders, the military men are frustrated about being on the defensive again in a grueling war while some doubt the judgment of their leaders.
According to AP, in the southern city of Kherson, where Ukraine is staging attacks against well-armed Russian troops on the other side of the Dnieper River, soldiers are already asking why these difficult amphibious operations were not launched months ago in warmer weather. "I don't understand," the commander of the 11th National Guard Brigade's anti-drone unit, who is known on the battlefield as Boxer, said. "Now it is harder and colder. It’s not just my feeling, many units share it."
After 22 months of war, the two countries are essentially in a stalemate along the 620-mile-long front line. Analysts speculate that Russian forces aim to push deeper into eastern Ukraine this time so that Russian President Vladimir Putin can cite this momentum as he campaigns for reelection. Putin said last week that he remains fully committed to the war and criticized Ukraine for "sacrificing" troops to demonstrate success to Western sponsors.
Meanwhile, the United States has already spent some $111 billion defending Ukraine and yet President Joe Biden is still asking for an additional $50 billion in funds from the Congress. The Republican lawmakers are hindering just as some lawmakers in Europe are on the fence about providing another $50 billion to Ukraine. "The reason the Ukrainians are gloomy is that, they now sense, not only have they not done well this year ... they know that the Russians' game is improving," said Richard Barrons, a former British army general. "They see what’s happening in Congress, and they see what happened in the European Union."
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