(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 18 - Premier Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday sent Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky the Italian government's condolences for the helicopter crash that killed 18 people including Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky, his first deputy minister and his state secretary near Kyiv earlier in the day.
    "Meloni and the entire government express their deep condolences and sympathy to President Zelensky of Ukraine, Prime Minister Shmyhal and the entire Ukrainian people for the tragic accident in which Interior Minister Monastyrsky, Deputy Minister Yenin, Undersecretary Lubkovych and the helicopter crew lost their lives," said the premier's office at Palazzo Chigi.
    "The Italian Government joins the grief of Ukraine and sends its heartfelt thoughts to the families of the victims".
    President Sergio Mattarella also conveyed the Italian people's condolences to the Ukrainian people over the tragic accident.
    "While expressing the feelings of sympathy of the Italian people, I would like to express our most sincere condolences to you, Mr President, to the government and to our friend the Ukrainian people, who have already suffered immense grief and suffering as a result of the brutal Russian aggression in recent months.
    "Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, including those of the children of a local school involved in the helicopter crash, while we wish the injured a speedy and complete recovery", said Mattarella in a statement from the presidential Quirinale Palace. (ANSA).