Deadly shooting in Kyiv: What is known about the attacker, the victims, and whether gun control measures will be tightened
18 April 21:56
ANALYSIS FROM 
The evening of April 18 turned tragic for the capital: in the Holosiivskyi district, an armed man went on a bloody rampage, which ended with a special forces raid and the attacker’s neutralization. Six people were killed, including a hostage in a supermarket, and 14 were wounded. While law enforcement investigates the shooter’s Russian roots and criminal history, another fact has shaken society: the murder weapon was a legal Kel-Tec hunting carbine. What is known about the course of the special operation, the terrorist’s identity, and the consequences –
Shooting broke out in Kyiv in the evening; the man acted erratically. According to official data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the attacker acted with particular brutality, shooting people at point-blank range. As of 8:00 p.m., six people are known to have been killed. Fourteen people were injured, including a supermarket security guard. Among the injured is a 4-month-old infant. The child was poisoned by carbon monoxide in an apartment next to the one the attacker set on fire before going out onto the street.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that those who found themselves in the shooter’s path had virtually no chance of survival. The operation to apprehend the suspect shifted to a neutralization phase after the terrorist killed one of the hostages in the supermarket. He did not respond to negotiations or attempts to persuade him and made no demands.
Identity of the attacker: what is known
According to preliminary information, the suspect is Dmytro Vasylovych Vasylchenkov (born in 1968). A native of Moscow, he held Ukrainian citizenship, previously lived in Bakhmut, and for the past 10 years—in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv.
Neighbors describe him as an “intelligent man” who lived alone and did not arouse suspicion.
“You’d never guess he was some kind of thug,” noted one of the building’s residents.
Law enforcement is currently verifying information regarding his possible past in the Russian military, though there is no official confirmation of this information at this time.
According to journalist Glagola, the attacker could have been a Russian Army lieutenant colonel who donated to the so-called “SVO” and had been living in Kyiv in recent years. The journalist himself later partially clarified his previous statement, noting that the photo in military uniform and information about the shooter’s service in the Russian Armed Forces remain unconfirmed at this time.
However, according to RBC-Ukraine sources, the shooter from Holosiivskyi had a expunged criminal record. Therefore, the shooter was able to legally purchase and register the weapon.
What did the attacker use to shoot?
The weapon used to kill people was officially registered.
- Model: Kel-Tec SUB-2000 carbine.
- Features: This is a civilian hunting rifle chambered for pistol ammunition (9×21 mm). The main feature of this model is its ability to fold in half, which allowed the attacker to discreetly carry it to the crime scene in an ordinary backpack.
- Legality: In 2023, the man successfully renewed his gun permit by providing all required medical certificates. Investigators plan to thoroughly verify the legality of the issuance of these medical documents.
Forensic experts and investigators continue to work at the scene. The police are establishing all the circumstances that could have led to the tragedy. The condition of the victims is under medical supervision.
Tighter Controls: The Consequences of the Kyiv Terror Attack for Gun Owners
The tragedy in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district has sparked a new wave of debate regarding gun control in Ukraine. While law enforcement prepares additional checks, experts warn that excessive “tightening of the screws” could deprive citizens of the ability to defend themselves.
According to sources in law enforcement, following the shooting at a supermarket, Ukraine plans to significantly tighten controls on the circulation of civilian firearms. This involves additional checks on owners and a possible tightening of the procedure for obtaining permits.
Defense Forces officer Yevgen Tykhyi, in a comment to
“Before the full-scale invasion, approximately 800,000 firearms were registered across Ukraine. Statistics show a very low rate of use. Most cases of their use involve lawful self-defense,” Tykhyi emphasizes.
According to the officer, stricter gun control laws could negatively impact overall security. Yevgen Tykhyi presents an alternative scenario for yesterday’s events.
“Let’s imagine that instead of a phone, a carbine with an optical sight—or even a red dot sight—had simply been extended from the high-rise building. And a skilled shooter would have neutralized this scoundrel on the spot. That’s it, the matter is settled, and far fewer casualties would have occurred than we actually had. And the person who had the weapon and eliminated that scoundrel would, in principle, have saved the state a great deal of resources right at the start of the attack. It’s very simple logic,” Tykhyi noted.
And so, the bureaucratization of the gun acquisition process will make guns inaccessible to law-abiding citizens, while criminals always find ways to circumvent the law.
“If the rules become too strict, it will be much harder for us to defend ourselves in such situations. And this case has precisely shown how important it is to be able to fight back here and now,” concluded Yevhen Tykhyi.
What do the authorities say?
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that investigators from the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine are already working on several theories. According to the president, four hostages were successfully rescued. At the same time, the number of wounded may rise, as people continue to seek medical assistance.
“As of now, we know that 14 people were injured. Unfortunately, that number may rise: people are still seeking help. Among the injured is a 12-year-old boy. Doctors are providing the necessary care,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
Law enforcement officials are currently examining all of the attacker’s contacts, his phone, electronic devices, and potential connections that could have influenced his motives. They promise to release the final findings of the investigation once the checks are complete.
“Right now, we’re finding out everything there is to know about him and why he did this. We need to check every detail. Investigators are working with several theories,” the president concluded.
The Minister of Internal Affairs revealed details of how the terrorist was neutralized. According to the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, law enforcement officers attempted to resolve the situation peacefully.
“Negotiations lasted about 40 minutes, but the attacker did not make any demands and refused to communicate,” says Klymenko.
Special forces from the KORD unit began storming the store after the attacker started shooting at police officers and killed one of the hostages. The criminal was neutralized on the spot.
Ahead lies a complex investigation and equally complex political decisions that will determine how safe the streets of Ukrainian cities will be tomorrow.
