A tragic shooting unfolded in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday when a gunman opened fire on unsuspecting civilians, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and leaving several others injured, according to local authorities.
The assailant was confronted and killed by police during the incident, bringing a swift end to the violent episode.
“Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko has just reported that the attacker in Kyiv who opened fire on civilians has been eliminated. All the circumstances are being established,”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the situation via a post on social media, adding, “At present, five people have been confirmed killed. Ten people are currently hospitalized with injuries and trauma. All are receiving the necessary assistance.”
Details of the incident
According to President Zelenskyy, the gunman had taken hostages during the assault, which occurred in the Holosiivskyi district of the capital. Fortunately, four hostages were rescued safely amidst the chaos.
“We expect a swift investigation. Investigators of the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine are working,” Zelenskyy further emphasized.
Perpetrator identified
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that local authorities had initiated a “special operation” to apprehend the shooter, who had sought refuge in a supermarket following the rampage. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General, Ruslan Kravchenko, identified the attacker as a 58-year-old native of Moscow armed with automatic weapons. Prior to barricading himself inside the Velmart supermarket, he reportedly fired upon civilians and set fire to his registered apartment, according to media sources.