Ukraine's interior minister has fired the entire management of the Kiev patrol police after officers were filmed fleeing the scene of a shooting in Kyiv's Holoseiyiv district, sparking widespread outrage. Criminal proceedings were initiated in the case.
— Regarding personnel decisions made as a result of the findings of the internal investigation, the entire chain of command has now been removed: from the platoon commander to the head of the Kiev patrol police department, Klymenko told reporters on Tuesday.
On Saturday, a gunman opened fire, killing five people, then barricaded himself in a supermarket room and took hostages. The attacker died while trying to arrest him.
A video published by Ukrainian media shows two uniformed policemen in yellow vests standing next to a person lying on the ground, who run away from the scene after hearing shots.
The prosecutor's office initiated criminal proceedings, and both officers were formally notified on suspicion of alleged inaction that allowed the armed attacker to continue shooting.
Klymenko stated that the incident revealed systemic problems in training, discipline and combat readiness, and announced profound changes in police preparation.
“I will require that only those with combat experience be appointed as deputy service training officers in each unit,” he said.
He announced that patrol officers will now undergo intensive training in military-style centers. — They will be on training grounds on a rotation basis. We will engage military personnel with combat experience from the 1st and 2nd Army Corps of the National Guard, as well as from the Border Service, as instructors, Klymenko announced.
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He added that veterans would also be included in the system. — We will offer veterans who are demobilized and can teach to continue their service in the system of training and combat preparation for police officers, he explained.
Klymenko said that the changes will initially apply to all patrol units and will then be extended to district police headquarters.
“A policeman shouldn't be afraid”
He emphasized that the reforms are aimed at not only physical preparation, but also mental resilience in a threat situation. — We're talking about training and mental toughness. Mental toughness in an extreme situation is not determined by a test, but by the experience gained on the training ground with an instructor, said the Ukrainian minister.
Klymenko also confirmed that, in line with the president's order, Ukraine will revise police response protocols and training standards. – We are talking about tactics taking into account weapons and ammunition that may be in the hands of citizens – he clarified.
He warned that the officers they must be ready for extreme scenarios even during routine interventions. “They must be ready for the fact that in the worst case, a grenade could be thrown at them,” Klymenko said.
Police officers at the scene of a shooting in Kiev, April 18, 2026.AP Photo/Dan Bashakov/East News
— A policeman shouldn't be afraid when a stun grenade explodes or a bullet flies somewhere. A policeman is there to endanger other people's lives, he added.
The Minister of Internal Affairs announced that most of the officers had already undergone rotations in high-risk units in frontline regions. He also emphasized that he supports extending the rotation to frontline cities or towns located near the front line as part of combat readiness training.
— I would send everyone for at least one or two months, if not to the front, then at least to the frontline area. For example, to the Patrol Police Headquarters in Kramatorsk. Or to Pavlohrad or Synelnykovo, he said.
The matter remains under investigation and further disciplinary and legal decisions are expected soon.
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