Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced early Monday that authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of former parliamentary speaker Andriy Parubiy, according to Reuters.
Why It Matters
Officials in Ukraine said on Saturday that Andriy Parubiy, a former speaker of Ukraine’s parliament, had been shot dead in the city of Lviv.
Who Was Andriy Parubiy?
Parubiy, 54, was a prominent figure in the pro-European Euromaidan protests in Ukraine in 2013 and 2014 that spelled the end for Kremlin-leaning then-president Viktor Yanukovych and remained a member in the country’s parliament (MP), the Verkhovna Rada.
He served as secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council in 2014, and the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada between 2016 and 2019. He reportedly later joined Ukraine’s territorial defense in 2022.
Ukrainian prosecutors said on Saturday an “unknown man” had fired “several shots” at the politician before fleeing.
Maksym Kozytsky, the head of the regional administration in Lviv, said Parubiy had died before emergency services could reach the scene.
What To Know
The Ukrainian president made the announcement via his official Telegram channel, confirming that investigative actions are currently ongoing.
“I thank law enforcement for their swift and coordinated work,” Zelensky stated. “All the circumstances of this horrific murder must be uncovered.”
Unverified video footage circulating online showed the attack, featuring an individual with a yellow bag approaching Parubiy from behind before the shooting occurs. An anonymous law enforcement source told the BBC the attacker was dressed as a courier for delivery company Glovo, which expressed shock and pledged cooperation with investigators.
The investigation, which was called “Operation Siren,” is still examining multiple potential motives, including possible Russian involvement. Lviv’s head prosecutor Mykola Meret confirmed over the weekend that authorities were exploring all angles in the case, with Zelensky previously describing “many resources” being dedicated to solving the crime.
What People Are Saying
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Monday statement on Telegram: “The necessary investigative actions are ongoing. I thank law enforcement for their swift and coordinated work. All the circumstances of this horrific murder must be uncovered.”
Former President Petro Poroshenko wrote on Telegram: “Andriy was a great man and a true friend. That is why they take revenge, that is what they are afraid of.”
He continued: “What can be said for certain is that these monsters are afraid, and that is why they kill true patriots and strong people. This crime is not just shots fired at a person. It is a shot at the army. It is a shot at the language. It is a shot at faith. It is a shot at the heart of Ukraine.”
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on X: “You always remained a patriot of Ukraine and made a great contribution to the formation of our state.”
What Happens Next?
Parubiy’s funeral is scheduled for Tuesday in Lviv, where enhanced security measures will likely remain in place throughout the proceedings.
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