Following a recent shooting incident in Kyiv, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko has emphasized the need for a public discussion regarding the rights of civilians to armed self-defense. This statement was made on his Telegram account in the wake of a tragic event that has raised significant societal questions.
Klymenko noted that the mental health of the shooter was unstable, prompting an investigation into how the individual obtained the necessary medical documentation to maintain a firearms license. Despite this, he clarified that there are no plans for mass checks of firearm owners in Ukraine.
The minister expressed his support for granting civilians the right to possess firearms for self-defense, particularly handguns. He recalled that during the early stages of the full-scale invasion, civilians were provided with weapons to support national resistance.
“We will soon hold expert discussions involving lawmakers, the public, journalists, and the veteran community to prepare the final version of the civilian arms legislation,” he added.
Klymenko also extended condolences to the families of the victims of the attack and stressed the importance of drawing lessons from the incident to enhance security measures where necessary.
Shooting Incident in Kyiv on April 18
On April 18, in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv, a man opened fire on pedestrians before taking hostages in a supermarket. The assailant was neutralized during a police operation. The shooting resulted in six fatalities and 14 injuries, including a child. The Security Service of Ukraine has classified the attack on civilians as a terrorist act.
On April 19, Minister Klymenko instructed the head of the National Police, Ivan Vyhivskyi, to conduct an internal investigation into the actions of police during the attack. In response, Vyhivskyi announced that the involved officers have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
This decision followed the emergence of video footage showing two police officers fleeing the scene upon hearing gunfire. Additionally, Yevhen Zhukov, the head of Ukraine’s Patrol Police Department, resigned due to the actions of police during the incident in Kyiv.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko has called for discussions on civilian self-defense rights after a deadly shooting in Kyiv. The incident has prompted investigations into police conduct and raised questions about firearm regulations.