Ukraine Police Chief Resigns Over Kyiv Shooting Inaction

Yevhen Zhukov, the head of Ukraine's patrol police, has resigned in the wake of a deadly mass shooting in Kyiv that claimed six lives and injured 14 others. The incident, which saw a gunman open fire on the street before taking hostages in a supermarket, has sparked outrage after two officers were allegedly seen fleeing the scene. The shooter was ultimately killed in a shootout with police, but the alleged inaction of some officers has cast a shadow over the response. This tragic event has forced a re-evaluation of police conduct and accountability within the capital, especially during a time of national conflict. The shooting, which occurred in the Holosiivskyi district, is being investigated as a terrorist act, though a motive remains unclear beyond the attacker's "clearly unstable" mental state.

Online footage circulating since the attack appears to show officers running away from the danger, leaving civilians exposed. Ukraine's Interior Minister Igor Klymenko swiftly announced the suspension of the officers involved and launched an investigation, emphasizing that "'Serve and protect' is not just a slogan. It must be supported by appropriate professional actions." However, Klymenko also cautioned against broad generalizations about the entire police force based on the actions of a few. Zhukov himself acknowledged the officers "failed to assess the situation properly and left civilians in danger," describing their actions as "unprofessionally and unworthily," leading to his resignation as a "combat officer."

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the "inaction" of the two officers, stating they "did not stop the murderer, and fled on their own." He confirmed a criminal case is being handled by Ukraine's national investigations bureau, which will also review their past work. Zelensky highlighted the profound pain of losing people in such a manner, contrasting it with the daily losses from Russian strikes. Details about the shooter identify him as a 58-year-old man originally from Moscow, who had lived in Donetsk and recently in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district. He had reportedly set his apartment ablaze before embarking on his shooting spree, using a gun that was officially registered, prompting an investigation into how he renewed his licence.

The shooting has reignited discussions on gun ownership in Ukraine, although Klymenko affirmed there would not be a mass check of gun owners. He stated, "I believe that people should have the right to armed self-defence," particularly given the experience during the initial full-scale invasion when civilians received weapons for national resistance. Ukrainian law permits licensed ownership of non-automatic firearms for those without a criminal record or history of mental illness. While Kyiv frequently faces Russian attacks, incidents of this kind of mass shooting are rare. Victims included a father and his child, and the child's aunt, with several others remaining in critical condition.