Kyiv Attack: Gunman Kills Six, Takes Hostages in Supermarket Siege

A deadly shooting spree and hostage crisis unfolded in Kyiv on Saturday, leaving at least six people dead and around ten others wounded. The incident began when a man opened fire on passersby in the city's Holosiivskyi district before storming a supermarket and taking hostages.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the casualties, noting that four individuals were rescued from the situation. Videos circulating on social media showed the attacker running through residential courtyards with an automatic weapon, indiscriminately shooting at people.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko identified the gunman as a 58-year-old native of Moscow who was a registered Ukrainian citizen. Preliminary information indicates he used automatic weapons. A fire also broke out simultaneously in the apartment where the attacker was officially registered.

The wounded include a four-year-old child, who was transported to a hospital, and a security guard from the supermarket. A 30-year-old woman later died in the hospital from her wounds, becoming the sixth victim.

Special police units stormed the supermarket after negotiations failed. "He took people hostage and opened fire on police officers during detention," Kyiv police stated. The assailant was ultimately killed after exchanging fire with law enforcement and likely detonating a grenade.

According to reports, the shooter has been named as Dmytro Vasylchenko. Open-source checks suggest he previously lived in Bakhmut in Donetsk region and had financial ties to Russia, including bank accounts. Unverified information indicates he may have previously served as a lieutenant colonel in the Russian army, and social media accounts linked to him contained messages supporting the war against Ukraine and expressing anti-Ukrainian sentiments.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has classified the case as an act of terrorism.