Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced early Monday that a suspect has been arrested in the shooting of former parliament speaker Andriy Parubiy. According to Zelensky, the suspect has given an initial statement to investigators.
Parubiy, a leading figure in Ukraine’s pro-European protest movements, was shot and killed in the city of Lviv on Saturday. Internal Affairs Minister Igor Klymenko and security service chief Vasyl Maliuk informed the president of the arrest.
“I thank our law enforcement officers for their prompt and coordinated work,” Zelensky said. He later added that the suspect has provided an initial testimony and that “urgent investigative actions are currently underway to establish all the circumstances of this murder.”
Minister Klymenko stated on Telegram that the crime appeared to be carefully planned. Dozens of police and security officers were involved in the operation to arrest the suspect in the Khmelnytsky region. Klymenko noted that the deceased’s movements were studied, a route was planned, and an escape plan was devised.
Parubiy, who was still a member of parliament, was a strong supporter of Ukraine’s independence and the use of the Ukrainian language. He was a commander of opposition self-defense forces during the 2014 Maidan protests. Russian state media had said he was wanted by Russian authorities since 2023. Since the 2022 invasion, both Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of assassinating key political and military figures.
