Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Interior Minister Igor Klymenko will implement personnel changes across the police force following a recent shooting incident in Kyiv that left six people dead. Zelensky emphasized the need to reassess response protocols to similar emergencies.
During a briefing, Zelensky stated that he had received a report from Klymenko regarding the circumstances surrounding the attack, which involved two patrol officers who failed to intervene while the shooter was at large. Instead of confronting the assailant, the officers reportedly fled the scene.
“A criminal investigation is underway regarding this incident, and there will be a comprehensive review of the patrol officers’ actions—who were expected to respond appropriately under the circumstances. The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) is handling this case. The investigation into the attack, including the assailant’s condition and the acquisition of his weapon, is being conducted jointly by the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
As of the evening of April 19, eight individuals were reported to be hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the attack, with one person in critical condition.
Prior to this, Klymenko condemned the actions of the police officers who abandoned their posts during the crisis, labeling their behavior as disgraceful. He also suggested that citizens should have the right to armed self-defense.
In light of the incident, Yevhen Zhukov, head of the patrol police department, resigned due to the officers’ inaction during the shooting on April 18, which left civilians vulnerable.
The shooting occurred in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv, where a man opened fire on civilians and took hostages inside a store. Following a police operation, the assailant was neutralized.
Reports indicate that the perpetrator was identified as 58-year-old Dmitry Vasilychenkov, a native of Moscow who held Ukrainian citizenship. He had previously resided in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, before moving to the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv. The Attorney General, Ruslan Kravchenko, confirmed that the shooting was carried out by Vasilychenkov, who used a legally registered firearm.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the death toll from the attack had risen to six, with nine others hospitalized and six receiving on-site assistance, including a four-month-old infant. As of April 19, eight individuals remained in local hospitals due to injuries from the shooting.
Following a shooting incident in Kyiv that resulted in six fatalities, President Zelensky has called for a review of police protocols and personnel changes in the force. The investigation is ongoing, with multiple agencies involved in assessing the response of law enforcement.