The head of Ukraine’s patrol police, Yevhen Zhukov, has resigned following backlash over allegations that two officers fled the scene of a deadly mass shooting in Kyiv.
The incident, which authorities are treating as a terrorist act, left six people dead and 14 others injured after a gunman opened fire in the Holosiivskyi district before taking hostages inside a nearby supermarket. The attacker was later killed in a shootout with police.
Footage circulating online appeared to show officers retreating from the scene, prompting widespread criticism. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Igor Klymenko confirmed that the officers involved have been suspended pending an investigation into their conduct.
Zhukov acknowledged the officers had “failed to assess the situation properly” and left civilians in danger, describing their actions as unprofessional. Announcing his resignation, he said he was taking responsibility as a senior officer.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also condemned the officers’ inaction, stating they were present at the scene but did not intervene. He confirmed that a criminal investigation has been launched, including a review of their prior service records.
Authorities said the suspect, a 58-year-old man originally from Moscow, had set fire to his apartment before carrying out the attack. Officials described his mental state as unstable, though a clear motive has not yet been established.
Eight victims remain hospitalized, with some in serious condition. The shooting has shocked residents of Kyiv, where such incidents are rare despite the ongoing war with Russia.
Ukrainian officials say the investigation will also examine how the suspect obtained and renewed a license for the firearm used in the attack.
The трагедия has reignited debate over policing standards and civilian gun ownership in Ukraine, particularly during wartime conditions where armed self-defense has become more common.
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