Deadly Crash at Karavaevi Dachy
A catastrophic collision in Kyiv on June 5, 2026, claimed four lives and left three others injured. The incident occurred around 5:30 PM at the intersection of Vadym Hetman and Ushynsky streets in the Solomianskyi district, when a Mercedes-Benz C300 crashed into an underground pedestrian passage. Among the deceased were two men, one woman, and a 12-year-old boy named Hryhorii Hlushych. Two of the victims were police officers: 24-year-old Senior Lieutenant Dmytro Bondarchuk and 21-year-old Lieutenant Denys Budchenko.
Aftermath and Investigation
The driver, 49-year-old Pavlo Pleshivtsev from the Kherson region, leads a Baptist evangelical Christian community in the village of Pidstepne. He sustained injuries and was hospitalized, but was found to be sober at the time of the crash. The Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office has launched a pre-trial investigation under Article 286, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Records show that the Mercedes-Benz C300 had 39 traffic violations logged against it, most for speeding. Over the course of 2025, the driver was cited five times for speeding and five additional times for other traffic infractions. In March 2026, the same driver was involved in a separate accident that caused no injuries.
RTM-Ukraine, the company operating the billboard above the crossing, voluntarily switched off its commercial advertisement for over a week, replacing it with an image of a burning candle against a black background. The ad space has since resumed regular programming, but the digital candle continues to be displayed.
Victoria Poliakova commented on the initiative, stating: 'It supports us to see how, in difficult times, Ukrainian business consistently demonstrates decency and a human heart.'
Anastasiia Martiusheva, who passed by the scene of the tragedy, noted: 'We drove by and saw that candle. It also caught our attention. I told my children about this tragedy. They are still young, but we talk about traffic rules and their importance every time. I embrace you with my heart.'
The Karavaevi Dachy tragedy once again underscores a serious road safety issue in Ukraine, where speeding and traffic violations remain widespread. This case, involving a driver with a long record of infractions, raises concerns about enforcement and the need for stricter penalties for such offenses. At the same time, business initiatives like the billboard display reflect societal solidarity in the face of tragedy, reminding us of the importance of humanity and mutual support during hard times.
This tragic incident raises questions about the driver's history, as he was previously involved in multiple accidents. For a closer look at the driver's past incidents, including a total of four crashes, you can read more about it here.