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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced early Monday that authorities had arrested a suspect connected to the murder of former parliamentary speaker Andriy Parubiy, according to Reuters.
Why It Matters
On Saturday, officials in Ukraine reported that 54-year-old Andriy Parubiy, a prominent figure in the pro-European Euromaidan protests in 2013 and 2014, had been shot dead in Lviv. He served as secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council in 2014 and as speaker of the Verkhovna Rada from 2016 to 2019. Parubiy reportedly joined Ukraine’s territorial defense in 2022.
What To Know
Zelensky made the announcement via his official Telegram channel, confirming that investigative actions are ongoing. “I thank law enforcement for their swift and coordinated work,” he stated. “All the circumstances of this horrific murder must be uncovered.”
Unverified video footage circulating online showed an individual with a yellow bag approaching Parubiy from behind before the shooting occurred. An anonymous law enforcement source told BBC that the attacker was dressed as a courier for delivery company Glovo, which expressed shock and pledged cooperation with investigators.
The investigation, called “Operation Siren,” is 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” 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.”
Parubiy’s funeral is scheduled for Tuesday in Lviv, where enhanced security measures will likely remain in place throughout the proceedings.
