Former Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy Killed in Lviv Shooting
Lviv, Ukraine — Former speaker of Ukraine’s parliament, Andriy Parubiy, has been fatally shot in the western city of Lviv, Ukrainian authorities confirmed on Saturday.
Police reported the shooting took place around midday in the Frankivsk district of the city. Investigators have not yet revealed whether the gunman has been detained.
Who Was Andriy Parubiy?
Parubiy, aged 54, was a key figure in Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan protests, which demanded closer integration with the European Union and ultimately led to the removal of then-president Viktor Yanukovych, who was seen as pro-Russian. He later rose to become the chairman of Ukraine’s parliament (Verkhovna Rada), cementing his place as a prominent voice in the country’s pro-democracy movement.
Zelensky Calls It a “Terrible Murder”
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the killing, calling it a “terrible murder” and expressing condolences to Parubiy’s family.
In a statement shared on Telegram, Zelensky said:
“The Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko and Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko have reported the first details of this shocking crime in Lviv. Andriy Parubiy was killed. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. All necessary forces are being deployed to track down and bring the killer to justice.”
Unconfirmed Reports of Gunman Disguised as Courier
Local media suggested that the attacker may have been riding an electric bike and disguised as a delivery courier, though this information has not been officially verified.
Investigation Underway
The Ukrainian National Police, Lviv Regional Police, and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) are jointly investigating the assassination. Authorities have pledged a full inquiry to uncover the motive and find those responsible.
Parubiy’s assassination marks a severe shock to Ukraine’s political landscape, especially during an ongoing war, as he was regarded as a leading figure in the nation’s pursuit of democracy and independence.