The head of Ukraine's patrol police, Yevhen Zhukov, has resigned after two of his officers faced criticism for allegedly fleeing a deadly mass shooting in the capital, Kyiv. Six people died and 14 others were injured on Saturday after a man opened fire on people in the street in Kyiv's southern Holosiivskyi district before taking others hostage in a nearby supermarket. He was later killed in a shoot-out with police.
Footage has since 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.
'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,' he wrote on Telegram. However, Klymenko cautioned that it is not entirely correct to generalise about the entire police force based on the actions of two individuals.
Zhukov stated at a press conference that the officers had 'failed to assess the situation properly and left civilians in danger.' He called their actions 'unprofessional and unworthy.' He also announced his resignation, saying as a combat officer he couldn't continue in his position under these circumstances.
Ukrainian authorities are treating Saturday's shooting as a terrorist act, although the motive remains unclear. Klymenko described the attacker's mental state as 'clearly unstable.' As of now, eight victims remain hospitalized, with one in 'extremely serious condition' and three others serious but stable.
President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked that the two officers were 'at the scene of the crime' but 'did not stop the murderer' and 'fled on their own.' He announced that a criminal investigation will also review the officers' prior conduct.
The identified attacker, a 58-year-old man, had roots in Moscow but had been living in the Holosiivskyi district before the shooting. The gun he used was legally registered, and investigations are ongoing concerning how he renewed his gun license. Klymenko stated that the police won’t initiate a mass check of gun owners following this incident, affirming the public's right to self-defense amid ongoing war conditions.
Footage has since 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.
'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,' he wrote on Telegram. However, Klymenko cautioned that it is not entirely correct to generalise about the entire police force based on the actions of two individuals.
Zhukov stated at a press conference that the officers had 'failed to assess the situation properly and left civilians in danger.' He called their actions 'unprofessional and unworthy.' He also announced his resignation, saying as a combat officer he couldn't continue in his position under these circumstances.
Ukrainian authorities are treating Saturday's shooting as a terrorist act, although the motive remains unclear. Klymenko described the attacker's mental state as 'clearly unstable.' As of now, eight victims remain hospitalized, with one in 'extremely serious condition' and three others serious but stable.
President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked that the two officers were 'at the scene of the crime' but 'did not stop the murderer' and 'fled on their own.' He announced that a criminal investigation will also review the officers' prior conduct.
The identified attacker, a 58-year-old man, had roots in Moscow but had been living in the Holosiivskyi district before the shooting. The gun he used was legally registered, and investigations are ongoing concerning how he renewed his gun license. Klymenko stated that the police won’t initiate a mass check of gun owners following this incident, affirming the public's right to self-defense amid ongoing war conditions.
