Makarov was not a victim of the attack – he inflicted the stab wounds on himself
31 July 2025 14:27
The Kyiv police have completed an investigation into the incident involving journalist and executive producer of Suspilne Yuriy Makarov. As it turned out, there was no attack – the man inflicted his injuries on himself. This was reported by the National Police and Suspilne, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
What happened
The incident occurred near a residential complex in the Solomensky district of Kyiv. Makarov then said that an unknown person had stabbed him with a knife, after which he was injured in the ribs and arm.
Makarov was hospitalized in serious condition. At that time, Suspilne reported that he had been attacked by an unknown person, and the police opened a criminal investigation under Article 121 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – intentional grievous bodily harm.
Police said the attacker allegedly fled the scene. The alleged weapon of the crime, a knife and a sheath, were seized nearby. At that time, Suspilne appealed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take the case under its personal control.
The famous Ukrainian journalist gave his first comments after the incident from the hospital on April 17.
Makarov told reporters that he lives in a gated residential complex, which residents are allowed to enter with special passes. Guests are also allowed in, either with a warning or as couriers.
“I understand that he wanted to go for the classic Moscow folklore – under the rib,” the journalist said with a smile. – “But it didn’t work out because he didn’t have the strength or determination, or God knows.
He mentioned two versions of the “attack” on himself: “an ordinary hooligan” and the presence of Makarov’s name on the so-called Russian “execution list” – “along with Arkady Babchenko and Yevgeny Kiselev”.
What the investigation found
In the course of the investigation, the police carried out large-scale activities:
– reviewed video from surveillance cameras
– interviewed dozens of possible witnesses,
– and conducted an investigative experiment.
At the time of the injuries, there were no unauthorized persons near Makarov. Also, the results of the DNA examination indicated that the traces on the physical evidence belonged only to the victim himself.
Yuriy Makarov also underwent a forensic psychological and psychiatric examination. The experts concluded that at the time of the incident, he had an acute stress reaction that could have affected his behavior. The journalist himself recognized the results of the examination.
After all the circumstances were established, the criminal proceedings were closed.
Public Broadcasting’s response
Public Broadcasting issued an official statement in connection with the completion of the investigation. The company emphasized that Yuriy cooperated with the investigation at all times, providing the necessary information, in particular, during the comprehensive forensic psychological and psychiatric examination.
“Public Broadcasting is grateful to the National Police of Ukraine for their professionalism and thorough work in establishing all the details in the delicate case of our colleague.”
The broadcaster also called for support for Yuriy Makarov:
“We are asking for support for Yuriy Makarov, a talented journalist and project creator whose work has been and will continue to be watched by generations of Ukrainians. His physical and psychological condition was affected by the war and its consequences. Yuriy has undergone treatment and remains in touch with his family, friends, and colleagues.”
Suspilne emphasized the importance of mental health for the entire Ukrainian society:
“Millions of Ukrainians today live and work in stressful conditions, not always having the understanding and support of others. Caring for mental health should become one of the priority topics of our society, because the war leaves a mark on everyone. As a national media company, Suspilne Broadcasting pays attention to the coverage of mental health and implements support programs for its employees.”
Who is Yuriy Makarov?
Yuriy Makarov is a Ukrainian journalist, TV presenter and media manager, known since the 1990s for his work at the 1 1 TV channel.
He was born in 1955 in Bulgaria to an immigrant family that later returned to Kyiv. Here Makarov graduated from the Faculty of Romance and Germanic Philology and taught French.
Yuriy Makarov became known to a wide audience as one of the recognizable faces of the 1 1 TV channel in its early years. He hosted a number of author’s and journalistic programs: “Breakfast with 1 1”, “Yuriy Makarov’s Special Project”, “Document”. In 1998, he became the head of the TV company’s editorial office.
In 2007, the journalist became the editor-in-chief of the Ukrainian Week magazine, which positioned itself as the Ukrainian analog of The Economist. The publication was published exclusively in Ukrainian, which was atypical for a high-quality analytical press at the time. After 2009, Makarov stepped down as editor-in-chief, but remained a regular columnist.
Since 2015, he has worked as a co-host of the War and Peace talk show on UA:Pershyi TV channel and Ukrainian Radio Kultura. In 2016-2017, he headed the documentary department of the National Television Company of Ukraine, and in 2017-2020 he was a member of the board of UA:PBC.
Currently, Yuriy Makarov is an executive producer at Public Broadcasting.
His books have been repeatedly shortlisted for the BBC Book of the Year award.
