Police in Poltava region have detained a man who on 31 January carried out an armed attack on a serviceman of the Poltava Regional Military and Special Forces Centre, shot him dead and took possession of an assault rifle. Together with his accomplice, he fled the scene, but law enforcement officers established their whereabouts and detained the suspects.
Criminal details
The attack took place at a petrol station near the town of Pyriatyn on the Kyiv-Kharkiv-Dovzhanskyi motorway. The soldiers were accompanying a group of conscripts when one of the men suddenly shot at the soldier with a hunting rifle, took his assault rifle and fled with his accomplice. The soldier died on the spot from his wound.
Detention of suspects
The head of the Poltava regional police, Yevhen Rohachov, said that after the special operation was announced, the police established the whereabouts of the attackers within hours. Special forces detained the attackers in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
▪ The shooter was a 40-year-old resident of Poltava region.
▪ His accomplice was a 36-year-old resident of Poltava.
During the search, the attacker’s weapon was seized. The issue of serving a notice of suspicion to the detainees and choosing a measure of restraint is currently being decided.



Investigation and possible punishment
Police investigators under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office opened criminal proceedings under the following articles:
▪ Premeditated murder (Article 115(1) of the Criminal Code);
▪ Illegal possession of weapons (part 3 of Article 262 of the CCU);
▪ Interference with the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Article 114-1(2) of the CCU).
The sanctions of these articles provide for up to 15 years of imprisonment. The investigation is ongoing.