A disturbing incident unfolded at a supermarket today as a lone gunman reportedly opened fire and held hostages. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that five individuals lost their lives in the tragic event in Kyiv, with at least 15 others, including a child, sustaining injuries as per Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Video footage captured the gunman wielding an automatic weapon in the Velmart supermarket while keeping hostages. Ukrainian special forces intervened after failed negotiations, leading to the elimination of the suspect, identified as Dmitry Vasylchenkov, a 57-year-old with dual citizenship.
Authorities disclosed that the assailant, armed with a Kel-Teс Sub-2000 semi-automatic carbine, engaged in a standoff before the police’s intervention. The motive behind the attack, whether linked to the conflict with Russia, remains unclear.
Mayor Klitschko earlier reported two fatalities in the Goloseevsky district of Kyiv, with the shooter still inside the supermarket. Several injured individuals were hospitalized, including a child and a security guard from the targeted supermarket.
The situation is developing, and authorities are conducting further investigations into the incident.
