Four Ukrainian police officers were killed when a suspect opened fire during an arrest operation in the Cherkasy region, authorities said Tuesday. The gunman was later killed by police special forces.
The incident occurred as officers attempted to detain a man wanted for murder. When police exited their vehicle, the suspect ambushed them, opening fire with an automatic weapon, according to the National Police of Ukraine.
All four officers were wearing body armor and helmets but were fatally shot in the neck, police said.
Another officer, Senior Police Lieutenant Oleksandr Shpak, was wounded and is receiving medical treatment.
“It is impossible to put the pain of this loss into words,” National Police Chief Ivan Vyhovskyi said.
“Four police officers gave their lives so the killer could never again threaten civilians. This is a terrible price paid by those who stood their ground until the end.”
Police special forces later tracked down and killed the shooter.
According to a source familiar with the investigation who spoke to Ukrinform, the suspect was also believed to be behind attempted attacks on a city council deputy in the town of Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi.
The source said the deputy – who also leads a public organization – had previously reported two apparent “warning” assassination attempts to police.
Investigators identified a suspect, and an operational-investigative team was dispatched to detain him on the day of the shooting.
An investigation into the attack is ongoing.