Evgen Zhukov, the head of Ukraine’s Patrol Police Department, has resigned following the controversial actions of police officers during a recent terrorist attack in Kyiv. This announcement was made during a briefing on April 19, shortly after footage surfaced showing two officers fleeing the scene upon hearing gunfire.
“As a combat officer, I have decided to submit my resignation. I believe this is the right course of action,” Zhukov stated. He criticized the behavior of his subordinates as “shameful,” explaining that the officers likely failed to assess the direction of the gunfire and ran towards their vehicle instead.
One of the officers seen in the video has been with the Ministry of Internal Affairs since 2024 and is described as relatively inexperienced. Accompanying him was another officer who has served since 2015.
Zhukov confirmed that an internal investigation would be conducted, holding accountable all supervisors of the officers involved. National Police Chief Ivan Vihivskyi indicated that Zhukov would not be dismissed from law enforcement but may be reassigned to a different role, potentially related to wartime efforts.
Earlier, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko announced the initiation of a criminal investigation into the improper execution of duties by police during the attack. The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) will assess the officers’ actions during this critical incident, particularly regarding their failure to protect civilians, including a child, and to neutralize the attacker in a timely manner.
On April 18, a man opened fire on pedestrians in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv before taking hostages in a supermarket. The assailant was neutralized during a police operation, resulting in six fatalities and 14 injuries, including that of a child. The Security Service of Ukraine has classified the shooting as a terrorist act.
Evgen Zhukov has stepped down as head of Ukraine's Patrol Police following a terrorist attack in Kyiv, where police officers were filmed fleeing the scene. An investigation into their actions is underway as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the tragic incident.