Gunman kills six and takes hostages in Kyiv before police shoot him dead

A 58-year-old Moscow-born gunman killed at least six people in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district on April 18, 2026, before taking hostages in a supermarket.

The attacker opened fire on civilians in the street, killing four bystanders, then barricaded himself inside a nearby supermarket where he killed a fifth person.

One hostage later died in hospital, bringing the total fatalities to six.

Four hostages were rescued, and at least 10 others were hospitalized, including a 12-year-old boy.

Ukrainian police shot the attacker dead after about 40 minutes of failed negotiations.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said special tactical police units stormed the supermarket after the gunman shot at police officers during the standoff.

Authorities attempted to persuade him to surrender and offered medical aid to a wounded person inside, but he did not respond.

The attacker was carrying a legally registered short-barrel assault rifle, a carbine, and had recently renewed his weapons permit in December 2025, submitting a valid medical certificate.

Investigators are determining which medical institution issued the document.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed condolences to the victims' families and instructed officials to make verified information publicly available.

He noted the rarity of such shootings in Kyiv and said the attacker had lived for a long time in Donetsk before the incident.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the location as the Holosiivskyi district and provided updates via social media.

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