A shooting in Kyiv on Saturday left casualties and led to the identification of the perpetrator as a former military officer who espoused extremist views.
Police Investigation and Initial Reports
Police officers have been suspended from duty as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Investigators are analyzing available video footage, including content circulating online, and interviewing witnesses, according to Ukrainian police chief Ivan Vyhovskyi.
Zelenskyy’s Statement on the Incident
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the attacker had set fire to his apartment before opening fire in the street. Zelenskyy also revealed that the man had previously faced criminal charges and was born in Russia, later residing for an extended period in the Donetsk region.
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko confirmed the suspect was a 58-year-old man born in Moscow.
Identification of the Gunman: Dmitrij Vasilchenko
Ukrainian media have unofficially identified the shooter as Dmitrij Vasilchenko, a man with both Ukrainian and Russian citizenship. He served in the Ukrainian military from 2004 until his retirement, stationed with the 254th Mechanized Rifle Division’s logistics battalion in the Donetsk region.
Vasilchenko’s Residence and Legal History
Vasilchenko permanently resided in Bakhmut, with a temporary residence in Ryazan, Russia, between 2015 and 2017. He later returned to Ukraine and settled in Kyiv, near the location of the shooting. In 2024, he was charged with intentionally causing harm, but the criminal case was dismissed after reaching an agreement with the injured party.
Military Service in Russia
Reports indicate Vasilchenko also served in the Russian military. Social media images show him wearing a Russian Armed Forces lieutenant colonel’s uniform alongside other Russian officers. He reportedly served at a unit in Chebarkul, Chelyabinsk Oblast, in the Southern Urals.
Belarus-Russia Rail Traffic Amidst Sanctions
Despite sanctions, railcars marked in Cyrillic script are reportedly traversing Poland, potentially linked to a deal between Donald Trump and Alexander Lukashenko, according to reporting by Andrzej Goworski and Marta Panas-Goworska.
Extremist Online Activity
Vasilchenko maintained a Facebook page, active from 2016 to 2019, under the name “Bakhmut VDW” – referencing Russian airborne troops. The portal Centrum Europa reported that he posted anti-Ukrainian and antisemitic content.
Calls for Violence and Historical References
According to Centrum Europa, Vasilchenko called for the forceful “cleansing” of society, referencing methods employed by Adolf Hitler. He also denied the legitimacy of Ukraine’s existence and expressed regret that Russian terrorist Igor Girkin had “stopped halfway” in 2014, referring to the attempted seizure of Donbas by Russian separatists.
Contact with Law Enforcement
Vasilchenko frequently contacted law enforcement officials, both while living in Bakhmut and after moving to Kyiv, according to obozrevatel.com. His phone book reportedly contained “Russian contacts.”
Details of the Kyiv Shooting
The shooting occurred on Saturday, April 18th, in the Holosiiv district of Kyiv. The perpetrator barricaded himself inside a supermarket, taking hostages before being “eliminated” during the apprehension by special police forces.
