Suspect arrested in killing of former Ukrainian parliament speaker Parubiy

Ukrainian authorities have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of former parliament speaker Andriy Parubiy in Lviv, President Volodymyr Zelensyy announced Monday.

The suspected gunman was captured overnight in Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi region, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko on Telegram.

“Details are limited for now,” Klymenko said. “The attack was clearly planned: the victim’s routine was monitored, a route was mapped, and an escape strategy was prepared.”

Parubiy, 54, was shot on Saturday in what officials describe as a “carefully planned” attack. Footage circulating online reportedly shows a gunman dressed as a courier approaching Parubiy on the street before fleeing the scene. Ukrainian police launched a nationwide manhunt and a special operation codenamed Siren to track down the assailant.

The former lawmaker played a central role in Ukraine’s 2014 Euromaidan protests, later serving as secretary of the National Security and Defence Council and joining territorial defence forces following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Zelenskyy praised law enforcement for their rapid response and emphasized that all circumstances of the killing must be investigated. Prosecutors confirmed that Parubiy died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators are examining possible motives, including potential Russian involvement.

Colleagues and officials, including former President Petro Poroshenko and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, described Parubiy as a patriot and key contributor to Ukraine’s defence and sovereignty.

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