The head of Ukraine's patrol police, Yevhen Zhukov, has resigned after two of his officers faced criticism for allegedly fleeing a deadly mass shooting in the capital, Kyiv. The tragic event occurred in the Holosiivskyi district, resulting in the deaths of six individuals and injuring 14 others after a shooter opened fire before taking hostages in a nearby supermarket. He was ultimately killed in a police shoot-out.

Footage shared online shows police officers abandoning the scene, sparking outrage and prompting Interior Minister Igor Klymenko to suspend the individuals involved while an investigation is conducted.

Highlighting the failure of duty, Zhukov expressed his disappointment at the officers' lack of professionalism, stating they left civilians in danger. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky also criticized the officers, emphasizing that their inaction during such a critical moment is indefensible. Meanwhile, the attacker has been identified as a 58-year-old man from Moscow, living in Kyiv prior to the incident.

In light of the ongoing conflict with Russia, the ministers stated that while Kyiv faces frequent attacks, incidents involving gun violence are rare. As the country continues to grapple with the consequences of war, the public and authorities alike are left to question the standards of law enforcement safety and responsiveness.