Two Patrol Officers Suspended as Police Face Criminal Inquiry Over Terror Attack Response

Criminal Case Opened for Dereliction of Duty

According to Главком: Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation has launched a pre-trial criminal inquiry into the actions of police officers during a terrorist attack in Kyiv. The case, led by the Kyiv City Prosecutor, is being pursued under Part 3 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which covers official negligence resulting in grave consequences. This legal action follows allegations that officers failed to properly perform their duties during the crisis.

Concurrently, the National Police has initiated its own internal service investigation into the conduct of its personnel. As part of this probe, two patrol officers have been suspended from duty pending the outcome of the review. The attack occurred on April 18 in the Holosiivskyi district of the capital, where a 58-year-old native of Moscow opened fire on people, barricaded himself inside a supermarket, and took hostages. A fire also broke out in the apartment where the assailant was registered.

Attack Aftermath and Official Statements

During an assault by the KORD special forces unit, the gunman was neutralized. The shooting on the street and inside the supermarket resulted in the deaths of five people, with an additional woman later dying in the hospital. In total, ten people were hospitalized with injuries, while six others received medical aid at the scene. As of lunchtime on April 19, eight injured individuals remain in hospitals, including one child who is in stable but serious condition. Among the adults, one victim is in extremely critical condition, three are in serious condition, and three others are in moderately serious condition.

Commenting on the situation, Ruslan Kravchenko stated: 'All actions of law enforcement officers during the critical threat to citizens' lives, including the episode involving leaving a minor child in danger and the untimely cessation of the attacker's actions, will receive a proper legal assessment.' He assured that the investigation would be conducted objectively and impartially, and that the public would receive answers to questions related to this tragedy. 'Justice will be ensured. Sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and a speedy recovery to the injured,' Kravchenko added.

This tragedy raises significant questions about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement responses during crises. The State Bureau of Investigation's probe could prove crucial for improving response mechanisms to similar incidents in the future. The public awaits transparent results from the investigation and adequate measures to prevent such events from recurring. This case highlights the immense pressure on Ukrainian security services, which continue to operate under the constant threat of Russian aggression while managing domestic emergencies.

In light of the recent events, the scrutiny surrounding the actions of police personnel has intensified. For a deeper understanding of the implications of their inaction during the attack, you can read more about the investigation into the officers' conduct here.