Kyiv’s head of patrol police, Yevhen Zhukov, has stepped down following public outrage over the actions of two officers accused of abandoning civilians during a deadly mass shooting in the Ukrainian capital.
The incident, which unfolded on Saturday in Kyiv’s southern Holosiivskyi district, left six people dead and 14 others injured after a gunman opened fire on pedestrians before taking hostages inside a nearby supermarket. The attacker was later killed in a shoot-out with police.
In the aftermath, video footage circulated online appearing to show two patrol officers retreating from the scene, allegedly leaving civilians exposed to danger. The footage sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about police conduct during critical moments.
Interior Minister Igor Klymenko confirmed that the officers involved had been suspended pending an investigation. While condemning their actions, he urged the public not to generalize the behavior of the entire police force.
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“‘Serve and protect’ is not just a slogan. It must be supported by appropriate professional actions,” Klymenko said in a statement. “Especially at critical moments, when people’s lives depend on it.”
Zhukov, addressing reporters on Sunday, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating that the officers had “failed to assess the situation properly and left civilians in danger.” He described their conduct as “unprofessional and unworthy,” before announcing his resignation.
“As a combat officer, I have decided to submit my resignation from the position I currently hold,” he said.
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President Volodymyr Zelensky also weighed in, sharply criticizing the officers’ actions. He said they had been present at the scene but “did not stop the murderer and fled on their own,” labeling their response as “inaction.” A criminal case has been opened, and Ukraine’s national investigations bureau will review both the incident and the officers’ prior conduct.
Authorities are treating the shooting as a terrorist act, though no clear motive has been established. Klymenko noted that the gunman’s mental state appeared “clearly unstable.”
The attacker has been identified as a 58-year-old man originally from Moscow who had been living in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district. He previously resided in the eastern Donetsk region, an area heavily affected by conflict and Russian occupation. Officials say the weapon used in the attack was legally registered, and an investigation is underway into how he obtained or renewed his firearm licence.
Among the victims were individuals with close family ties. One man killed was the father of a child injured in the attack, while another victim is believed to have been the child’s aunt. Eight of the injured remain hospitalized, including one adult in critical condition.
While Kyiv has endured frequent attacks amid Russia’s ongoing invasion, incidents of this nature—mass shootings unrelated to the war—are rare in the city. The tragedy has intensified scrutiny of both public safety and police preparedness.
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Despite the incident, Klymenko indicated that there are no plans for a sweeping review of civilian gun ownership. He reiterated support for the right to armed self-defence, particularly in light of Ukraine’s wartime conditions.
Ukraine allows civilians to own non-automatic firearms under strict licensing requirements, including background checks and mental health evaluations. A 2023 survey estimated that about 3.4% of Ukrainian adults own firearms.
As investigations continue, the shooting has left a nation already strained by war grappling with fresh questions about security, accountability, and the responsibilities of those sworn to protect.
