Ex-Customs Official Fatally Stabs Military Recruiter in the Neck During Lviv Draft Operation

Former Customs Inspector Faces Murder Charges in Court

According to Главком: On April 5, 2025, in Lviv, a 34-year-old former customs inspector allegedly stabbed a 52-year-old military serviceman to death during a mobilization drive. The incident occurred near Patona Street while personnel from the Halytsko-Frankivsk Regional Territorial Recruitment Center (RTRC) were conducting notification procedures alongside police officers. The accused is now charged with premeditated murder of an official in the line of duty.

The serviceman, acting in an official capacity, attempted to detain the suspect’s younger brother, a 28-year-old man who was trying to flee the scene. At that moment, the ex-customs officer pulled a knife from his bag and chased after the soldier.

“Catching up to the serviceman, he stabbed him in the chest. Realizing the bulletproof vest blocked the blows, he then struck him in the neck. The wound proved fatal-the carotid artery was severed. Despite medical efforts, the serviceman died,”

prosecutors reported.

After the attack, both brothers fled the crime scene by car. However, police quickly located and arrested the suspect, who remains in custody on charges of brutally murdering a public official. This case follows a similar violent attack on military personnel in Kharkiv, where one soldier was killed and another wounded during a separate incident involving RTRC staff.

Official Response to Escalating Violence

In response to these events, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Mstyslav Banik held an emergency meeting with the Army Command. The meeting ordered internal investigations across all recruitment centers and mandated full cooperation with law enforcement agencies.

The safety of military personnel in Ukraine has become a growing concern, especially as the country remains under martial law due to the ongoing war. Violent attacks against soldiers, such as this fatal stabbing, highlight the urgent need for enhanced security measures and closer coordination between police and military structures. The defense ministry’s swift response underscores the gravity of the situation and its commitment to preventing future tragedies.

The recent stabbing incident in Lviv raises serious concerns about the safety of military recruitment personnel in Ukraine. This follows a similar attack in Kharkiv, where military officers faced violence during mobilization efforts. Such events highlight the urgent need for enhanced security measures at recruitment centers across the country.