A 33-year-old woman from the Rivne region has been charged with committing a terrorist act that resulted in the death of a police officer and injured 25 others in Lviv. The incident occurred on February 22, and authorities are currently conducting investigations into her activities.
The Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the suspect has been detained, and searches are being carried out at her residence. Evidence related to her alleged criminal activities has been seized during these operations.
“All urgent investigative actions are being conducted with the participation of prosecutors who are coordinating the investigation’s progress,” the statement read.
Prosecutors are preparing a motion for the court to impose a preventive measure of detention without the possibility of bail. According to the prosecution, two homemade explosive devices were planted on February 21 between 11:00 PM and 11:30 PM on Danilyshyna Street. The suspect, who had been living temporarily in Lviv since September, is believed to have carried out the act.
“Around 12:30 AM, a call was received on the emergency line from a person in the Kharkiv region, reporting an alleged break-in at a store on Danilyshyna Street. An explosion occurred upon the arrival of the police, followed by another explosion when a second police unit arrived,” the prosecution reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the attack, stating that intelligence indicates Russia’s ongoing intentions to carry out similar attacks against Ukrainians. He noted that the perpetrators were recruited via Telegram and that the organization of the attack was linked to Russian operatives.
Details on the Suspect’s Arrest
The suspect was apprehended on the morning of February 22 near the town of Staryi Sambir in the Lviv region. Law enforcement officials reported that she manufactured the explosives and placed them in predetermined locations. It is believed that she acted under the direction of a Russian intelligence operative. The devices detonated after being placed in trash bins, and surveillance footage captured the moment of their installation.
Following the placement of the explosives, the woman reportedly fled in a taxi. The explosives were likely activated remotely.
The Security Service of Ukraine is conducting a preliminary investigation into the case under Article 258, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, concerning the terrorist act that led to a fatality, and Article 263, Part 1, regarding illegal handling of weapons, ammunition, or explosive substances. The most severe penalty for these charges can reach life imprisonment.
Overview of the Lviv Attack
The explosions in Lviv occurred in the early hours of February 22, resulting in the death of a 23-year-old police officer and injuring 25 others. According to the Security Service of Ukraine, the blasts happened shortly after police units arrived at the scene following a report of suspicious activity.
“The emergency line received information about two unidentified men in dark clothing damaging blinds and breaking the lock on a local store’s door, after which they entered the premises. Subsequently, police units arrived, and explosions followed,” the Security Service stated.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that among the injured were members of the National Police and the National Guard, who were on duty to maintain public order, as well as civilians.
Authorities later detained the woman believed to be responsible for the explosions in one of the district centers of the region. She is a 33-year-old resident of the Rivne area.
A woman has been charged in connection with a deadly terrorist attack in Lviv that killed a police officer and injured 25 others. Investigations are ongoing as authorities gather evidence and prepare for court proceedings.