Kyiv Attack on April 18 Leaves Five Dead, Assailant Killed by Special Forces

Assault in the Holosiivskyi District

According to ХВИЛЯ: An attack in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district on April 18 resulted in five fatalities and at least 14 people wounded. The assailant, preliminarily identified as Dmytro Vasylchenko, was killed during a raid by the KORD special forces unit. He had taken hostages inside a Velmart supermarket on Demiivka. One of the hostages was killed, while four others were rescued. Among the injured was a 12-year-old boy.

Assailant's Background and Investigation

Prior to the attack, the perpetrator set fire to his own apartment. It is known that he had a prior criminal record and had lived for a long time in the Donetsk region, having been born in Russia. According to available information, Dmytro Vasylchenko served until 2004 in the 254th Motor Rifle Division and, after 2022, served again in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The attacker was armed with a carbine rifle.

The National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) are investigating the incident, examining several possible motives for the assault. Investigators are reviewing the attacker's electronic devices, phone, and contacts. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the SBU, and the Prosecutor General's Office will provide updates on the investigation's progress.

“The attacker was eliminated. He was holding hostages. He killed one of the hostages, unfortunately. He killed four people right on the street. Another woman died in the hospital from severe wounds.”

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

This incident has provoked significant public outcry, occurring against a backdrop of heightened national tension. Hostage-taking attacks represent a serious threat to public safety, making the investigation into this case a crucial step for preventing similar situations in the future. The violence also underscores the ongoing need for robust security measures in public spaces across Ukraine.

The tragic events in Kyiv have raised numerous questions about the assailant's motivations and background. To gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances surrounding this violent incident and the identities of the victims, you can read more in our detailed coverage on the Kyiv supermarket siege.