A 31-year-old member of the National Guard of Ukraine, Yosyp Pavlynskiy, has died in a Lviv hospital, marking the second fatality from the February 22 terror attack. The incident also claimed the life of a police officer, Victoria Shpylyka, earlier.
According to Lviv’s mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, Pavlynskiy was originally from the village of Bakivtsi in the Lviv region. He is survived by his wife and young daughter. Sadovyi expressed condolences to the family, stating, “We have another loss following the terror attack in Lviv. Yosyp Pavlynskiy arrived at the explosion site that evening with other services to assist in evacuating people and establishing a secure perimeter. It was during this time that the second explosion occurred.” The mayor later corrected the age of the deceased, noting that Pavlynskiy turned 31 in the hospital, a day after the attack.
As of March 2, nine individuals injured in the February 22 attack remained hospitalized at St. Panteleimon Hospital in Lviv, with two patients reported to be in critical condition.
Details of the February 22 Terror Attack
Explosions were reported in Lviv during the night of February 22, resulting in the death of a 23-year-old police officer and injuries to 25 others. The Security Service of Ukraine stated that the blasts occurred shortly after police units arrived at the scene following a report of suspicious activity.
“The 102 emergency line received information about two unidentified men in dark clothing damaging blinds and breaking the lock of a local store, after which they entered the premises. Police crews arrived shortly thereafter, and the explosions followed,” the SBU reported.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed that among the injured were members of the National Police and National Guard, as well as civilians. Subsequently, law enforcement apprehended a woman believed to be connected to the bombings in a district center of the region. The 33-year-old resident of Rivne Oblast was reportedly responsible for creating improvised explosive devices and placing them at predetermined locations, allegedly under the direction of a Russian intelligence operative.
Initial investigations indicated that the devices detonated after being placed in trash bins. Surveillance footage captured the moment the explosives were likely planted.
The woman from Kostopil in Rivne Oblast has been charged with committing a terrorist act resulting in death and illegal handling of weapons. On February 23, she was remanded in custody without the possibility of bail.
The Security Service of Ukraine is conducting a preliminary investigation into the case under articles pertaining to terrorism and illegal handling of explosives, with the most severe charges potentially leading to life imprisonment.
The death of Yosyp Pavlynskiy, a National Guard member, marks the second casualty from the February 22 terror attack in Lviv, which also injured numerous others. Investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the attack and the apprehension of a suspect linked to the bombings.