At least six people were killed and several others injured after a gunman carried out a deadly shooting in Kyiv on Saturday, according to Ukrainian officials.
The incident took place in the Holosiivskyi district, where the attacker reportedly began firing at people on the street before entering a nearby supermarket and taking hostages.
Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the gunman acted unpredictably and did not present any clear demands during negotiations. Authorities attempted to de-escalate the situation, even offering medical assistance for injured victims inside, but the attacker did not respond.
After a tense standoff lasting around 40 minutes, police launched an operation inside the supermarket. The gunman was killed during a shootout after he reportedly killed one of the hostages.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that at least six people lost their lives in the incident, while 14 others were injured, including a 12-year-old boy.
According to officials, four victims were killed on the street, while another died later in hospital. One hostage was also killed by the attacker before police intervention.
Authorities confirmed that four hostages were successfully rescued during the operation.
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko identified the attacker as a 58-year-old man originally from Moscow. He reportedly used a legally registered automatic weapon to carry out the attack.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the shooting, as well as how the attacker obtained the firearm. Officials also revealed that the suspect had set his apartment on fire before launching the attack.
While Kyiv continues to face security challenges amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, such incidents of mass shootings remain rare in the city, making this tragedy particularly shocking.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant as investigations continue.
