Attack in the Holosiivskyi District
A man opened fire in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district on April 18, before barricading himself inside a 'Velmart' supermarket on Demiivka and taking hostages. Armed with an assault rifle, the attacker shot at police officers during the arrest attempt. Special forces from the National Police's KORD unit stormed the store, resulting in the assailant being killed.
According to Prosecutor General Kravchenko, five people were killed by the gunfire, while Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported two fatalities. Five injured individuals, including a child and a supermarket security guard, were hospitalized during the incident. This tragic event underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by Ukrainian cities even far from the front lines of the war.
Details on the Suspect
The suspected attacker, Dmytro Vasylychenkov, was born on April 21, 1968, in Moscow. He held Ukrainian citizenship and had previously lived in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, before moving to the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv. Negotiators attempted to make contact with the gunman prior to the assault by the special forces.
“The shooter in Kyiv was killed during the arrest. KORD special forces of the National Police stormed the store where the perpetrator was located. He had taken people hostage and fired at police during the arrest. Before this, negotiators had tried to contact him.” – Ihor Klymenko
The incident caused significant alarm among local residents and has drawn attention to security concerns in public spaces. Such sieges are rare in Ukraine, which has otherwise shown remarkable resilience in the face of a full-scale invasion.
The episode in Holosiivskyi district presented a severe test for law enforcement and highlighted the critical need for a rapid response to such threats. The safety of public venues remains a pressing issue, particularly in an environment of heightened risk. Authorities and police are likely to review ways to enhance security measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The shocking events in Holosiivskyi district are part of a troubling trend, as similar incidents have raised alarms about public safety in Kyiv. In a recent case, a gunman took hostages in a supermarket, leading to tragic losses. For a detailed account of that incident and its aftermath, read more about the hostage situation and its impact on the community.