The Land Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine strongly condemned the attack on a serviceman of the Poltava Regional Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (RTCC and SS) and called for a prompt investigation into the crime.
What happened
The tragedy occurred on 1 February at a petrol station in Pyriatyn. While escorting conscripts to the 199th training centre, an unknown man wearing a grey balaclava and pixelated trousers approached a serviceman of the Poltava Regional Training and Development Centre. Threatening him with a hunting rifle, the attacker demanded that he hand over his weapon, and after refusal, he shot the serviceman.
The soldier died on the spot as a result of a serious injury. The attacker seized his assault rifle and fled with one of the mobilised conscripts.
Reaction of the military command
The Land Forces Command called the crime outrageous and demanded the most severe punishment for the attacker. The agency stressed that the murder of a serviceman in the line of duty is a serious crime that should be investigated as soon as possible.
What is known about the search for the perpetrator
Law enforcement officers are working at the scene, and a special operation Siren has been launched in Poltava region. Operational and search activities are underway, and we are cooperating with the military and law enforcement agencies of neighbouring regions.
Call to citizens
The Land Forces Command has called on citizens to provide any information that may help to establish the whereabouts of the attacker and the serviceman who disappeared with him.
The military leadership also expressed sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased soldier, stressing that his death would not go unpunished.