In brief
The head of Ukraine's patrol police, Yevhen Zhukov, has resigned after officers faced backlash for allegedly abandoning civilians during a deadly mass shooting in Kyiv that claimed six lives. Footage showed the officers fleeing the scene while the shooter held hostages. The police officers involved have been suspended as authorities investigate their actions, with Interior Minister Igor Klymenko emphasizing the need for accountability in critical situations.
The head of Ukraine's patrol police, Yevhen Zhukov, has resigned after two officers faced criticism for allegedly fleeing a deadly mass shooting in the capital, Kyiv. Six people died and 14 others were injured on Saturday when a man opened fire on people in the street in Kyiv's southern Holosiivskyi district before taking more hostages in a nearby supermarket. He was later killed in a shoot-out with police.Footage shared online appeared to show officers leaving civilians and running away from the scene. Ukraine's Interior Minister Igor Klymenko confirmed that the officers had been suspended and that an investigation into their actions is underway. Klymenko wrote on Telegram, 'Serve and protect' is not just a slogan. It must be supported by appropriate professional actions. Especially at critical moments, when people's lives depend on it. However, he also cautioned that it is not fair to judge the entire police force based on the actions of two employees.Zhukov stated during a news conference that the officers had 'failed to assess the situation properly and left civilians in danger', describing their actions as 'unprofessional and unworthy'. He announced his resignation with the comment that as a combat officer, he felt compelled to step down.Ukrainian authorities are treating the shooting as a terrorist act, although the motive remains undetermined, leading Klymenko to suggest that the man's mental state was 'clearly unstable'. Among those hospitalized, one adult is in an 'extremely serious condition', with three others in serious condition.President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked on the incident, emphasizing the responsibility of officers to act effectively during such crises. He announced that a criminal case is under investigation to assess the officers' prior conduct as well.The shooting incident is particularly distressing, as the situation unfolded in a busy urban area, indicative of the deep impacts of ongoing conflict, with a history of loss during warfare becoming increasingly poignant. The shooter, a 58-year-old man with roots in Moscow, was reported to have lived in the Holosiivskyi district prior to the attack and had previously resided in the eastern Donetsk region.Despite the ongoing war with Russia bringing increased instances of violence, such shootings remain rare in Kyiv. Investigations will continue into how the shooter was able to acquire his legally registered firearm, amidst ongoing discussions on the rights of citizens to self-defense.
