Kyiv horror: Gunman kills five, injures 10, takes supermarket hostages

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

At least five people have been confirmed dead after a gunman opened fire on civilians in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, before storming a supermarket and taking hostages in a dramatic and deadly incident that triggered a major police operation.

The attack occurred in the Holosiivskyi district, where the assailant reportedly began shooting randomly on the street, killing several victims before barricading himself inside a supermarket.

Ukrainian authorities said special police units later stormed the building after failed negotiations, killing the attacker during the operation.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed the suspect had taken hostages and even fired at a police officer during the standoff.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reacting to the tragedy, said five people had been killed, while 10 others were hospitalised with injuries.

He added that four hostages were successfully rescued and assured that investigations were underway to establish all circumstances surrounding the attack.

Emergency responders rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, while security agencies, including the National Police and Ukraine’s security service, cordoned off the area and launched a full-scale investigation into the motive behind the attack.

Reports indicate that negotiators had engaged the suspect for several minutes before tactical units moved in, bringing the siege to an end.

Authorities are yet to confirm the identity of the attacker or what may have triggered the violence.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko earlier confirmed casualties and injuries, noting that the situation evolved rapidly from a street shooting into a hostage crisis inside the supermarket.