Ukrainian Presidential adviser resigns after controversy over Dnipro civilian deaths

In the latest update on Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian Presidential Adviser Oleksiy Arestovych resigned, on Tuesday, after suggesting that Ukraine shot down a Russian missile that has killed so many civilians, reported Sky News. The adviser handed over his resignation to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

After a Russian missile struck an apartment building in Dnipro which killed at least 41 civilians, he stoked controversy with his comments.

"The Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense system had shot down a Russian Kh-22 missile", said Arestovych

This statement was soon picked up by the Russian propagandists who then claimed that the nine-story building in Dnipro has been hit by the Ukrainian defense rocket. Further, this was followed by the denial from the Ukrainian official, who confirmed that Ukraine did not have the capability to shoot down the type of missile fired by Russia, reported Sky News. 

Announcing his resignation on Facebook, Arestovych wrote: "I offer my sincere apologies to the victims and their relatives, the residents of Dnipro and everyone who was deeply hurt by my prematurely erroneous version of the reason for the Russian missile striking a residential building." 

Further, on Telegram, he said, "Wrote a letter of resignation. I want to show an example of civilised behavior. A fundamental mistake, then resign.”

Resignation of Ukraine's presidential adviser

The demand for his resignation was made by several Ukrainian parliamentarians after he said that a Russian cruise missile could have been shot down by Ukrainian forces and fallen on a house in Dnipro, reported The Washington Post. However, he denied the same. 

Many parliament members collected signatures to demand Arestovych’s dismissal after his controversial statement.