The attack occurred in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district, where a man opened fire on people in the street before taking others hostage in a nearby supermarket. He was later killed in a shoot-out with police. The shooter has been identified as a 58-year-old man originally from Moscow, living in the Holosiivskyi district, and previously lived in the Donetsk region. Officials are investigating how he obtained the necessary documents for the officially registered gun he used. Eight people remain in hospital, with one adult in an 'extremely serious condition' and three in serious condition. One victim was the father of a child injured in the attack, and another was thought to be the boy's aunt.
Footage has been shared online appearing to show officers leaving civilians and running away from the scene. Ukraine's Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said the officers in question had been suspended and that an investigation into their actions was under way. The officers caught on camera have been suspended from duty for the duration of the investigation. Klymenko described the response of the two officers as a disgrace for the entire system, though he cautioned against generalizing about the entire police force and praised those involved in the special operation who stormed the supermarket and stopped the gunman.
Klymenko cautioned that it is not entirely correct to make generalizations about the entire police only by the actions of two employees.
High-level condemnations followed, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying the two officers had been at the scene of the crime but did not stop the murderer and fled on their own, accusing them of inaction. In his evening address on April 19, Zelensky said the officers who fled the scene were required to act in those circumstances. Klymenko stressed that the behaviour of just two officers should not be used to generalise about the entire police force, stating that 'To serve and protect' is not just a slogan and should be backed up by appropriate professional actions, especially in critical moments when people's lives depend on it.
Multiple probes have been launched into police failures and legal aspects. The head of Ukraine's national police, Ivan Vyhovskyi, announced that an internal investigation had been opened. Prosecutor general Ruslan Kravtchenko announced the launch of a criminal investigation into alleged failures by the police officers to fulfil their professional duties. The investigation, led by the State Bureau of Investigation, will assess whether law enforcement failed to act promptly, including possible endangerment of a child and delays in stopping the attacker. The Ukrainian authorities are treating the shooting as a terrorist act but have not yet spoken about a motive.
Zhukov told a news conference that the officers had 'failed to assess the situation properly and left civilians in danger' and acted 'unprofessionally and unworthily'.
The head of Ukraine's patrol police department, Yevhen Zhukov, resigned over the officers' behaviour, which he described as 'shameful'. Zhukov told a news conference that the officers had failed to assess the situation properly and left civilians in danger and acted unprofessionally and unworthily. He said that as a combat officer, he had decided to submit his resignation from the position he currently held. Zhukov has headed the Patrol Police Department of the National Police since 2015. Ivan Vyhivskyi, head of Ukraine's National Police, said that Zhukov would not be dismissed from law enforcement altogether but would likely be transferred to another position in the Interior Ministry, possibly one involved more directly with the war effort.
Systemic implications are being addressed, with Zelensky saying the protocols for responding to such situations will be reviewed, along with the processes for hiring and training officers. Zelensky said Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko would be reviewing law enforcement personnel decisions across the entire chain of command. Zhukov said an internal investigation will be conducted and all managers will be held accountable for these actions, all managers who are currently the superiors of these two police officers. This incident has prompted a broader evaluation of police preparedness and accountability in crisis situations.
Zhukov said, 'As a combat officer, I have decided to submit my resignation from the position I currently hold.'
Gun policy impact is also under discussion, with Klymenko saying there would be no mass checks on gun owners in the wake of the shooting, but that the ministry would open up expert discussions to prepare final legislation on civilian gun ownership. Klymenko said it is necessary to examine how he obtained the medical certificates required to renew his gun licence, while making clear there would be no systematic checks on gun owners. He pledged to hold expert discussions with the participation of MPs, citizens, journalists and veterans on firearms legislation. On granting civilians the right to own firearms, Klymenko said he believes people should have the right to defend themselves with weapons.
Several unknowns remain following the attack. The exact motive behind the shooter's attack has not been disclosed by authorities, and it is unclear how he obtained the medical certificates required for his gun license. The specific disciplinary or criminal outcomes for the suspended officers have not been determined, and what changes will be made to police protocols, hiring, and training as a result of this incident are still under review. Additionally, the exact timeline of events during the shooting and police response has not been fully detailed in public reports.
Klymenko described the man's mental state as 'clearly unstable'.
This mass shooting has highlighted significant challenges within Ukraine's law enforcement system during a period of ongoing conflict with Russia. The resignation of a senior police official and the multiple investigations underscore the gravity of the incident and its impact on public trust. As Ukraine continues to face external threats, internal security protocols and officer conduct are under intense scrutiny, with reforms likely to shape future responses to such crises. The discussions on gun legislation may also influence broader security policies in the country.
Klymenko said, 'Shameful, unworthy behaviour. It is a disgrace for the whole system. They have been suspended and an investigation is under way.'
Klymenko stressed that the behaviour of just two officers should not be used to generalise about the entire police force.
Klymenko said the attacker 'was clearly suffering from mental instability'.
Klymenko said it is necessary to examine how he obtained the medical certificates required to renew his gun licence, while making clear there would be no systematic checks on gun owners.
Klymenko pledged to hold 'expert discussions with the participation of MPs, citizens, journalists and veterans' on firearms legislation.
On granting civilians the right to own firearms, Klymenko said, 'I believe people should have the right to defend themselves with weapons.'
Zhukov said, 'The officers acted unprofessionally and in a manner unworthy of police officers. They arrived at the scene and were supposed to help and save our fellow citizens. They lost their bearings and left wounded civilians in danger.'
Zhukov said, 'As a combat officer, I have decided to submit a report for dismissal from the position I hold. I think it will be fair.'
Zhukov described the actions of his subordinate officers during the shooting as 'shameful.'
Zhukov said, 'An internal investigation will be conducted and all managers will be held accountable for these actions, all managers who are currently the superiors of these two police officers.'