Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the State Bureau of Investigations has initiated a case against two police officers who fled the scene of a terror attack in Kyiv on April 18. This announcement was made during a statement on April 19.
“A criminal proceeding has already been opened regarding this incident, and there will be a thorough review of the patrol officers’ actions – they were expected to respond appropriately under the circumstances,” Zelensky stated.
The president emphasized the need to reassess the protocols for responding to such situations, as well as the selection and training of patrol officers.
“The investigation into the attack and the verification of all facts regarding the assailant, his condition, and how he obtained his weapon are being conducted jointly by the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine. The Minister will make personnel decisions across the board,” the president noted.
As of now, eight individuals remain hospitalized in Kyiv following the attack in the Holosiivskyi district. One person is in critical condition, with medical teams fighting to save their life. In total, six people lost their lives, and 14 others were injured, including a child.
Details of the April 18 Attack in Kyiv
On the evening of April 18, an individual opened fire on pedestrians in the Holosiivskyi district before storming a supermarket where he took hostages. The assailant was neutralized during the police operation to retake the store. The Security Service of Ukraine has classified the shooting of civilians as a terrorist act.
General Prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko reported that the suspect is a 58-year-old native of Moscow. According to President Zelensky, the attacker had a prior criminal record and had lived for an extended period in Donetsk, having been born in Russia. Investigators are exploring multiple theories regarding the motive behind the shooting and continue to pursue the investigation.
Following a deadly terror attack in Kyiv, President Zelensky has announced an investigation into police officers' response and emphasized the need for protocol reviews. The attack resulted in six fatalities and numerous injuries, prompting a joint investigation by security agencies.