Ukrainian ex-parliamentary speaker Andriy Parubiy was fatally shot in the western city of Lviv on Saturday, prompting a search for the assailant.
The Prosecutor General’s office reported that a gunman discharged multiple rounds at Parubiy, resulting in his immediate death. The perpetrator escaped, leading to the initiation of a manhunt, according to the office.
At 54 years old, Parubiy served as a member of parliament and held the position of parliamentary speaker from April 2016 until August 2019. He was also a prominent figure in the protests of 2013-14 that advocated for closer relations with the European Union.
Additionally, he acted as the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council from February to August 2014, during which time conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine and Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula.
Officials have not provided any immediate information regarding a potential connection between the murder and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko and Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko have just briefed us on the initial details of this horrific murder in Lviv. Andriy Parubiy has been killed,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on X.
He expressed his condolences to Parubiy’s family and loved ones, adding: “All necessary forces and resources are being utilized in the investigation and pursuit of the assailant.”
The national police reported that the shooting in Lviv occurred around noon (0900 GMT). Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi emphasized the critical importance of locating the assailant and clarifying the circumstances surrounding the attack.
“This is a matter of security in a nation at war, where, as we can observe, there are no entirely safe locations,” he remarked on Telegram.
Tributes flowed in
Colleagues from parliament and the government expressed their condolences, commending Parubiy’s role in Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty and independence as a leader of the Euromaidan protests in 2013-14.
Former President Petro Poroshenko stated on Telegram that the assassination of Parubiy, who was a member of the parliamentary committee on national security, defense, and intelligence, represented “a shot fired at the heart of our nation.”
“Andriy was an exceptional individual and a genuine friend. This is the reason they seek revenge, as it is what they fear,” he remarked, praising Parubiy’s role in the development of the Ukrainian military.
In a message on Telegram, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha characterized Parubiy as “a patriot and statesman who significantly contributed to the defense of Ukraine’s freedom, independence, and sovereignty. He was a person who rightfully deserves a place in the annals of history.”
Ukrainian law enforcement has not disclosed any details regarding the identity or motives of the assailant.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko urged for a swift investigation into the murder, describing it as “a significant loss” for the nation.
“You consistently remained a patriot of Ukraine and made substantial contributions to the establishment of our state,” she expressed on X.
