Zaporizhzhia colony strike: Regional chief explains why convicts couldn't reach shelter
Photo: Shelter in the colony in Zaporizhzhia region was blocked due to attack (facebook.com/DSNSKHARKIV)
In the Bilenke correctional colony, where 16 convicted individuals died from a Russian strike on the night of July 29, there was a shelter, but after the first strike by a KAB, it turned out to be blocked, according to the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, Ivan Fedorov.
"There was a shelter on the territory of the colony. During the air raid alert, the convicted individuals had the opportunity to go down into the shelter. The tragedy occurred after the first strike, the shelter was blocked, and there was no possibility to descend," Fedorov said.
According to him, the issue of the evacuation of the convicted individuals had been raised more than once at the Regional Defense Council.
"This was still 1.5–2 years ago. All the relevant materials were prepared, the services coordinated among themselves and analyzed the risks that exist or could occur," added the head of the Zaporizhzhia RMA.
Russian strike on the colony in Zaporizhzhia region
Late in the evening on Monday, July 28, Russian forces struck the territory of the Bilenke correctional colony with four guided aerial bombs.
As a result of the attack, the facility's dining room was completely destroyed, and the administrative headquarters and quarantine section were partially destroyed. The death of 16 convicted individuals has been confirmed. The total number of injured exceeded 90 people.
Later, Ukraine’s Minister of Justice Herman Halushchenko reported that the prisoners were evacuated from there immediately after the Russian attack.
