Vladimir Slonchak, the recently dismissed Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration, has denied allegations of assaulting a police officer during a traffic stop. The incident has drawn significant public attention following the release of body camera footage.
Slonchak expressed his perspective on social media, asserting that he did not commit any act of violence against the police. He claimed that during the traffic stop, officers exceeded their authority, which led to his emotional response. “As a lawyer, I understand the distinction between emotions and an assault on a police officer, and there was certainly no assault,” he stated.
Despite his denial, Slonchak offered an apology for his emotional outburst. He stated, “I sincerely apologize to the public and law enforcement for my emotional instability.” His comments followed a series of events that escalated during the traffic stop on the evening of April 26.
According to reports, Slonchak was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over by patrol officers. The driver, Lyudmyla Kostenko, a city council member, reportedly refused to undergo sobriety tests. The police subsequently issued a protocol against her for driving under the influence and for operating a vehicle without headlights at night.
Following the altercation, Slonchak was detained under suspicion of assaulting law enforcement personnel. Investigators have initiated criminal proceedings against him under Article 345 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, which addresses threats or violence against police officers.
As a result of the incident, a police officer was hospitalized with facial injuries and a concussion. The Kyiv patrol police indicated that Slonchak exhibited clear signs of intoxication, and he faces potential imprisonment of up to five years if convicted.
On April 27, Vitaliy Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, announced Slonchak’s dismissal during a press briefing, expressing regret over his subordinate’s conduct.
Vladimir Slonchak, dismissed as Kyiv's Deputy Head, denies assaulting police during a traffic stop. He claims officers exceeded their authority, while a police officer was injured in the incident.