Kyiv Terror Attack: Investigation Launched into Police Inaction as Custodian Dies Shielding Boy

Terrorist Attack Strikes Kyiv's Holosiivskyi District

According to Главком: A terrorist attack in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district on April 18, 2026, has claimed a seventh victim. The latest fatality is custodian Oleksandr Grygorovych, who succumbed to his injuries in the hospital after the tragedy. He died from severe wounds to his intestines, liver, and stomach after using his own body to shield a 12-year-old boy who witnessed the attack. Medical teams fought for over a day to save him but were unsuccessful. This attack occurred in a residential district of Ukraine's capital, which has faced repeated threats since the onset of the full-scale invasion.

The boy lost both his father and mother in the attack, and it was later confirmed that his mother's sister also perished. Surveillance footage and body-camera recordings from law enforcement corroborate the sequence of events.

Aftermath and Official Response to the Tragedy

The assailant, a 58-year-old native of Moscow, opened fire on pedestrians before barricading himself with hostages inside a supermarket. Concurrently, a fire broke out in the apartment where the attacker was registered. A special KORD unit stormed the location and neutralized the gunman.

The incident has sparked public outrage, leading to the resignation of Police General Yevhenii Zhukov from his post as head of the Patrol Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine. His resignation follows a scandal over the inaction of patrol officers who fled the scene after the initial shots were fired. The National Police has initiated an internal investigation, and two patrol officers have already been suspended pending review. A criminal proceeding has been opened regarding the police officers' alleged failure to perform their duties. A video has surfaced online showing two police officers leaving the scene immediately after the shooting began.

“The Kyiv terror attack. The moment the terrorist opened fire on the child, the custodian, known to all residents as 'Uncle Sasha,' ran to the boy. He shielded the child with his own body and was hit by the bullets. Unfortunately, doctors could not save the man-he died from his injuries in…” - source unknown.

This tragedy has underscored the critical importance of law enforcement readiness in responding to terrorist threats and has provoked significant public anger over police conduct during the emergency. The high-ranking official's resignation and the investigation into the patrol officers' actions point to serious systemic issues within the country's security apparatus that require urgent resolution.

The tragic events in Kyiv have not only claimed innocent lives but also raised serious questions about police response during the crisis. Following the attack, the resignation of the police chief has further fueled public scrutiny and demands for accountability. As investigations unfold, the implications of this incident on law enforcement practices are becoming increasingly pressing.