Dnipropetrovsk Man Arrested for Assassination of Left Bank Administration Head; SBU Blames Russia for Orchestration

Suspect Apprehended in the Murder of Yuriy Fedko

According to ХВИЛЯ: Authorities in Dnipro have detained a man accused of assassinating Yuriy Fedko, the head of the Left Bank administration, in an attack that took place in April 2025. According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), this killing was ordered by Russian intelligence agencies. The perpetrator, who had been hiding in the regional capital for over 18 months, is identified as a local draft evader.

The assassination occurred when Fedko’s car was rigged with an explosive device and detonated. The suspect reportedly received instructions from Russian operatives via an intermediary based in the occupied city of Luhansk. To track Fedko’s movements, the suspect installed a concealed dashcam on his balcony. The bomb, a homemade plastic explosive, was acquired from a stash in Russia and placed beneath the driver’s seat, equipped with a motion sensor.

Investigation and Public Response

Fedko suffered fatal injuries from the blast, while his wife, Angela, survived. The investigation, led by the Dnipro branch of the SBU, lasted more than a year and a half. The suspect has now been formally charged with carrying out a terrorist act resulting in death. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment and asset confiscation. The trial has opened, with the court currently considering detention measures.

Borys Filatov, the mayor of Dnipro and a close friend of the victim, shared his thoughts on the incident. He recalled that “one and a half years ago, Yuriy was blown up near his apartment building along with his wife Angela, who survived. Yuriy lost his legs and bled out while rescuers were extracting him alive from the vehicle.” Filatov emphasized that “this was not the work of contractors, creditors, or personal disputes. He was killed by Russian special services.”

Oleksandr Poklad, the acting head of the SBU, has overseen the case personally, which has attracted significant public attention. Filatov noted that “the investigation has all the evidence proving Russia’s involvement in Yuriy’s assassination” and expressed hope that justice will ultimately prevail. The court session for the accused is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM.

This arrest highlights the ongoing threat posed by Russian intelligence operations within Ukraine, particularly amid the broader conflict between the two nations. Cases involving terrorist acts with international implications demand heightened vigilance from law enforcement and society alike. The community’s reaction and the upcoming trial represent critical steps toward combating terrorism and establishing accountability.