Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed the recent indictment of two patrol officers who failed to protect civilians during a shooting incident in Kyiv on April 18. The officers reportedly arrived at the scene but did not intervene, leading to significant casualties.
According to Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, evidence indicates that the patrol crew witnessed injured individuals, including a child, yet chose to flee rather than confront the assailant. Zelensky emphasized the need for accountability, stating,
“Patrol officers should have done everything to stop the killer. But they ran away. There must be responsibility. I expect that the subsequent procedural steps against them will not be delayed.”
The president reiterated that law enforcement must prioritize the protection of citizens in critical situations. In light of this incident, he has initiated a comprehensive review of police internal processes, including response protocols, training standards, and rules governing the use of firearms to protect civilians. Zelensky asserted that systemic changes are essential to prevent similar occurrences and ensure safety for all citizens.
The shooting in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district involved a man who opened fire on passersby before taking hostages in a supermarket. The assailant was neutralized during a police operation, but the attack resulted in six fatalities and 14 injuries, including that of a child. The Security Service of Ukraine has classified the shooting as a terrorist act.
On April 19, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko instructed National Police Chief Ivan Vyhivskyi to conduct an internal investigation into the officers’ actions during the attack. In response, Vyhivskyi announced that the officers involved had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
The incident gained further attention when videos surfaced showing the officers fleeing the scene amid gunfire. Following public outcry, Yevhen Zhukov, the head of Ukraine’s Patrol Police Department, resigned due to the actions of the police during the incident.
Ukrainian authorities are responding to a shooting incident in Kyiv where police officers failed to act, resulting in multiple casualties. President Zelensky has called for accountability and initiated a review of police protocols to enhance public safety.