Six Dead After Gunman From Moscow Opens Fire in Kyiv Supermarket Siege

At least six people were killed on Saturday, April 18, 2026, after a gunman opened fire in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district and took several hostages inside a supermarket. The siege ended when Ukrainian special forces stormed the building and shot the attacker dead. A young woman died in the hospital, bringing the total death toll to six after five others were killed during the initial shooting spree.

The Details

The violence began on the streets of the southern Holosiivskyi district, where four people were killed before the gunman entered a local supermarket. Once inside, the attacker killed one person and barricaded himself within the store, taking several hostages. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that the gunman shot at a police officer during the final detention process.

Police negotiators spent approximately 40 minutes attempting to establish contact with the shooter. Minister Klymenko stated that authorities offered to provide tourniquets to assist a wounded person inside the building, but the gunman refused to respond to the offer. Following the failed negotiations, special tactical units were ordered to storm the building and neutralize the threat.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the incident via Telegram, noting that four hostages were successfully rescued during the operation. He stated that an investigation has been launched by the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine to determine the full circumstances of the attack.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that at least 15 people were injured in the attack. Ten of the wounded, including a child, were transported to hospitals for emergency care. The sixth fatality occurred after a young woman succumbed to her injuries while receiving medical treatment.

Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko identified the shooter as a 58-year-old man originally from Moscow, Russia. According to Minister Klymenko, the attacker used a legally registered carbine. He had reportedly submitted an application to renew his firearm permit in December 2025, accompanied by a medical certificate.

Context

The shooting occurred in the residential and commercial hub of the Holosiivskyi district. While the attacker originated from Moscow, early indications suggest the incident was a civilian mass shooting and not directly connected to the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine. However, the suspect's origin is expected to be a focal point of the investigation into the motive.

The event follows a period of heightened tension in the capital. On April 16, 2026, Russian missile and drone strikes targeted Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro, resulting in at least 12 deaths. The proximity of this civilian shooting to previous wartime strikes adds to the volatility of the city's security environment.

Separate from the supermarket siege, a fire broke out in a Kyiv apartment registered to the suspect. Unconfirmed reports suggest the fire may have been caused by the detonation of an explosive device, though authorities have not yet verified this claim.

What's Next

The National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine are now conducting a forensic analysis of the scene and reviewing the suspect's background to establish a motive. Investigators are specifically looking into why a 58-year-old Russian national was residing in Kyiv and the nature of his legal registration for the weapon used in the attack.

Authorities are also working to verify the reports of an explosive device at the suspect's registered residence. If confirmed, this would suggest a premeditated plan involving multiple locations.

Public health officials and city administrators are coordinating support for the victims' families and the survivors of the supermarket siege as the city continues to manage the trauma of both civilian violence and ongoing aerial bombardments.