Ukrainian Interior Ministry Probes Police Conduct During Kyiv Terror Attack

Internal Investigation Launched into Police Actions During Kyiv Attack

According to Главком: Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko has ordered an internal investigation into the conduct of police officers during the terrorist attack that occurred on April 18 in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district. The shooting resulted in five fatalities, and a woman among the ten wounded later died in the hospital. The assailant, a 58-year-old native of Moscow, was neutralized during an assault by the special forces unit KORD.

Under the directive, National Police Chief Ivan Vyhivskyi is to conduct the official inquiry into the actions of the officers who arrived at the scene. The findings must be submitted to the State Bureau of Investigation, and the National Police will publicize the results as soon as possible. Video footage from the attack captured the inaction of two police officers who left the scene immediately after the initial shots were fired.

Incident Details and Official Response

The attacker opened fire on people after barricading himself inside a supermarket and taking hostages. Simultaneously, a fire broke out in the apartment where the attacker was registered. The Kyiv City Prosecutor arrived at the scene. The gunman was eliminated during the subsequent raid. In total, five people were killed in the shooting, and the woman who later died in the hospital was among the ten hospitalized victims. Her identity is currently being established; she was approximately 30 years old. Medical personnel provided on-site assistance to six other injured individuals who did not require hospitalization.

Ihor Klymenko emphasized the importance of professional conduct by law enforcement: 'To serve and protect is not just a slogan. It must be backed by appropriate professional actions. Especially in critical moments, when people's lives depend on it.'

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko also noted: 'A woman who was among the 10 people hospitalized with injuries from the shooter has also died in the hospital. Her identity is being established; the woman was about 30 years old.'

This incident underscores the critical need for prompt and professional responses from law enforcement during emergencies. The internal investigation may identify shortcomings in the police response and help refine tactics and procedures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Given the scale of the tragedy, the public expects transparency in the investigation and accountability for any individuals who may have failed in their duties. This attack is part of a broader pattern of violence Ukraine has faced since the full-scale invasion by Russia began in 2022.

As investigations into the police response continue, understanding the background of the attack and its victims becomes crucial. For a detailed account of the assailant's identity and the impact on those affected, see what we know about the shooter and the victims.