Ukrainian officials have apprehended a suspect believed to be responsible for a fatal “terrorist attack” in the heart of Lviv, which resulted in the death of a police officer and wounded 25 individuals, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday.
In a statement shared on X, Zelenskyy revealed that Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko had informed him about the suspect’s capture after the assault took place in the early hours of the morning.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and friends. All necessary resources are being dedicated to the investigation. We are conducting the required legal procedures with the suspect, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs will share further information as it becomes available,” he conveyed.
According to a message posted by Ukraine’s National Police on Telegram, authorities initially received an alert at approximately 12:30 a.m. regarding a burglary at a shop on Danylyshyn Street.
Police officers were present at the explosion site in downtown Lviv, Ukraine, on February 22, 2026. (Anastasiia Smolienko/Reuters)
The first police patrol arrived at the location, triggering an explosion. A second explosion occurred when another patrol team responded to the scene.
Officials said preliminary findings indicate improvised explosive devices hidden inside garbage bins detonated in the city center.
Police launched a large-scale operation after the blasts, deploying explosives technicians, canine units and other specialized teams.
Emergency services work at the scene after explosions killed a 23-year-old policewoman and injured 24 people in Lviv, Ukraine, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Olena Znak/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The National Police said 23-year-old policewoman Victoria Shpylka was killed in the explosion, while 25 people suffered injuries of varying severity. Eleven victims were hospitalized, including six law enforcement officers who are in serious condition.
A 33-year-old woman from the Rivne region was detained several hours later in the border area of Stary Sambir in connection with the attack.
Ukrainian law enforcement officers secure the area after an explosion rocked a shop in Lviv, Ukraine, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Yuriy Dyachyshyn/AFP via Getty Images)
Investigators allege she acted at the direction of a “curator” linked to Russian special services and manufactured and planted the explosive devices.
“There is every reason to believe that the crime was committed on the order of Russia. It is not the first time that the enemy purposefully creates death traps for Ukrainian law enforcement officers. And at the same time uses our recruited citizens,” said Klymenko.
