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: 'It is not entirely correct to make generalisations about the entire police only by the actions of two employees.' Zhukov told a news conference on Sunday that the officers had 'failed to assess the situation properly and left civilians in danger'. He also said they acted 'unprofessionally and unworthily'.
'As a combat officer, I have decided to submit my resignation from the position I currently hold,' Zhukov said.
The authorities are treating Saturday's shooting as a terrorist act, although a motive has not yet been established. Klymenko described the shooter's mental state as 'clearly unstable'. Eight people remain in hospital, including one adult in 'extremely serious condition'.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed concerns about the officers’ inaction, stating that they fled without attempting to stop the shooter. He called for a criminal investigation into their conduct.
More details are emerging about the victims of the attack, with one reportedly being a father of a child injured in the incident and another believed to be the boy's aunt. The shooter, a 58-year-old man originally from Moscow, had been living in Kyiv and reportedly owned a legally registered firearm. Investigations are ongoing into how he renewed his gun license, and the authorities confirmed that there would not be a mass check of gun owners following the incident.
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: 'It is not entirely correct to make generalisations about the entire police only by the actions of two employees.' Zhukov told a news conference on Sunday that the officers had 'failed to assess the situation properly and left civilians in danger'. He also said they acted 'unprofessionally and unworthily'.
'As a combat officer, I have decided to submit my resignation from the position I currently hold,' Zhukov said.
The authorities are treating Saturday's shooting as a terrorist act, although a motive has not yet been established. Klymenko described the shooter's mental state as 'clearly unstable'. Eight people remain in hospital, including one adult in 'extremely serious condition'.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed concerns about the officers’ inaction, stating that they fled without attempting to stop the shooter. He called for a criminal investigation into their conduct.
More details are emerging about the victims of the attack, with one reportedly being a father of a child injured in the incident and another believed to be the boy's aunt. The shooter, a 58-year-old man originally from Moscow, had been living in Kyiv and reportedly owned a legally registered firearm. Investigations are ongoing into how he renewed his gun license, and the authorities confirmed that there would not be a mass check of gun owners following the incident.
