Investigations into the shooting incident that occurred in Kyiv on April 18 have revealed a comprehensive timeline of events, according to Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko. The assailant, a 58-year-old former military officer originally from Moscow, had previously served in the Ukrainian Armed Forces from 1992 to 2005.
Kravchenko noted that the shooter, who relocated to Kyiv from Bakhmut following the onset of Russian aggression, had a criminal record but possessed two registered rifles and a traumatic pistol. His most recent firearm permit was reportedly obtained using a press card issued by a civic organization, a matter currently under investigation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
Analysis of the shooter’s mobile phone indicated a premeditated intent to commit mass violence, with video evidence showing him practicing rapid weapon readiness and target shooting at home. The shooter reportedly harbored animosity towards a neighbor, whom he derogatorily referred to as the “director of the sixth floor,” and who became his first victim.
The shooting was triggered by a dispute over a recently repaired intercom system, which had left some residents unable to access their building. During the altercation, the shooter opened fire with his traumatic weapon, injuring several individuals. After exhausting his ammunition, he discarded the pistol, returned to his apartment to retrieve a firearm, and subsequently set his residence ablaze before continuing his attack outside.
Outside the building, the assailant killed his neighbor and a taxi driver, and injured the neighbor’s son, wife, sister-in-law, and a janitor who was shielding a child. The latter two later succumbed to their injuries. Kravchenko reported that the shooter recorded audio of his actions, and as he moved towards a nearby supermarket, he continued firing, resulting in two additional fatalities.
Inside the supermarket, the shooter threatened patrons and killed an employee while injuring five others. He then barricaded himself with hostages and demanded that a currency exchange worker leave her post to negotiate, threatening to shoot if she refused. He expressed no interest in money, insisting, “Get out of the cash register; I won’t take your dollars.”
Throughout the incident, the shooter justified his actions as self-defense against a supposed group attack by four individuals outside the building, claiming he was confronted by “young people along with women.” The shooting spree ultimately resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, prompting law enforcement to classify the incident as a terrorist act under Article 258 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code.
In the aftermath, Kravchenko announced the initiation of a criminal investigation into the inadequate response of police officers present during the incident. Reports indicated that two patrol officers fled the scene after the initial shots were fired. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that other responding units acted professionally, but criticized the officers who abandoned their posts, labeling their actions as a significant failure.
Klymenko emphasized that the actions of the two officers should not reflect the entire police system, attributing their behavior to psychological weakness. He pointed out that one of the officers had been with the patrol service for ten years, indicating a need for better training in handling extreme situations.
The investigation into the April 18 shooting in Kyiv has unveiled the shooter's background and the sequence of events leading to seven fatalities. The incident has prompted scrutiny of police response and calls for accountability.