The head of Ukraine's patrol police, Yevhen Zhukov, has officially submitted his resignation following intense criticism over the conduct of his officers during a deadly mass shooting in the capital city of Kyiv. The move comes after allegations surfaced that officers fled the scene instead of protecting civilians during the violent outbreak.
The Deadly Shooting in Holosiivskyi District
On Saturday, a 58-year-old gunman opened fire on pedestrians in Kyiv's southern Holosiivskyi district, resulting in the deaths of six people and leaving 14 others injured. Following the initial street shooting, the attacker moved to a nearby supermarket where he took several individuals hostage. The crisis ended when the gunman was killed in a direct shoot-out with police forces. However, the aftermath of the incident was marred by footage shared online, which appeared to show patrol officers running away from the scene and leaving civilians in immediate danger.
Official Condemnation and Suspensions
Ukraine's Interior Minister Igor Klymenko announced that the officers involved have been suspended pending a full investigation into their actions, while emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Klymenko stated on Telegram, "'Serve and protect' isn't just a slogan. It must be supported by appropriate professional actions, while " Despite the severity of the lapse, Klymenko noted that it would be incorrect to generalize the entire police force based on the actions of two specific employees.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also addressed the failure in an update on Sunday, confirming that the two officers were present at the crime scene but failed to stop the murderer and instead fled. He accused them of "inaction" and revealed that a criminal case has been initiated by Ukraine's national investigations bureau. This probe won't only cover the Saturday incident but will also review the officers' previous professional records. Zelensky remarked on the tragedy, saying, "We're going through a war and every day, unfortunately, there are human losses from Russian strikes.
Resignation of Yevhen Zhukov
" He characterized their behavior as "unprofessional and unworthy" of the force. Zhukov, identifying himself as a combat officer, stated that he decided to submit his resignation from his current position as a matter of accountability for the failure of his subordinates.
Victim Details and Shooter Profile
The Ukrainian authorities are currently treating the shooting as a terrorist act, though a specific motive has not yet been established.
Gun Ownership and Legal Context in Ukraine
Despite the rare nature of such shootings in Kyiv, Minister Klymenko stated there would be no mass check of gun owners. He reaffirmed his support for the right to armed self-defense, citing the experience of civilians receiving weapons for national resistance at the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. Currently, Ukrainian citizens are permitted to own non-automatic firearms if they meet specific licensing conditions, including a clean criminal record and no history of mental illness.