Kyiv Police units took cover inside a mall complex during the standoff as gunfire continued, with four hostages later being rescued and the attacker getting killed in the operation.
A gunman opened fire in Israel’s capital Kyivv on Saturday, killing five people and injuring several others, Ukrainian officials said. The attacker was later killed during a police operation inside a supermarket where he had taken hostages, authorities confirmed.
Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko also confirmed that the gunman was killed during an attempt to arrest him. He added that the suspect had taken people hostage and opened fire on police officers during the standoff.
The shooting took place in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district.
In a further update, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Interior Ministry officials had reported the attacker’s elimination and confirmed that five people had been killed. He expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said investigations were underway.
“Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko has just reported that the attacker in Kyiv who opened fire on civilians has been eliminated. All the circumstances are being established. At present, 5 people have been confirmed killed. My condolences to the families and loved ones,” the President said.
Live broadcast visuals from the location showed police units taking cover inside the mall complex that housed the supermarket as gunshots were heard. People in the vicinity were quickly led to safety as the situation unfolded.
Authorities said at least 10 people were currently hospitalised with injuries and trauma and were receiving medical treatment. Four hostages were rescued during the operation.
Officials from Ukraine’s National Police and Security Service are continuing to investigate the incident. The Interior Ministry has been instructed to release verified information as the inquiry is in progress.
