Ukraine’s Patrol Police Chief resigns following deadly Kyiv shooting and officer misconduct
Evgheni Zhukov, the head of Ukraine’s Patrol Police, has resigned after footage emerged showing two of his officers fleeing the scene of a mass shooting in Kyiv on Saturday.
The attack left six people dead and 14 others wounded. A 58-year-old gunman opened fire in the Holosiivskyi district before taking hostages in a nearby supermarket, where he was eventually neutralized by police.
Institutional fallout and accountability
Interior Minister Igor Klymenko confirmed the suspension of the officers involved. He emphasized that the "serve and protect" mandate must be upheld through professional action, especially during critical life-and-death moments.
During a Sunday press conference, Zhukov stated that the officers failed to assess the situation correctly, leaving civilians in immediate danger. "As a combat officer, I have decided to submit my resignation," Zhukov told reporters.
The investigation into the perpetrator
Authorities are treating the incident as a terrorist act. The suspect, a Moscow native who had lived in the occupied Donetsk region before moving to Kyiv, was described by officials as "mentally unstable."
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the officers’ "inaction," noting that the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) has launched a criminal case. He stressed the pain of losing lives to domestic violence while the nation is already suffering daily losses from Russian attacks.
Gun control and public safety
Despite the tragedy, Minister Klymenko stated there would be no mass checks on gun owners. He reaffirmed the right to armed self-defense, a sentiment strengthened since the start of the 2022 invasion.
Ukrainian law currently allows citizens to own non-automatic firearms, provided they pass rigorous background checks. Eight victims remain hospitalized, with four reported to be in serious or critical condition.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
