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Ukrainian officials have apprehended an individual suspected of executing a fatal “terrorist attack” in the heart of Lviv, which resulted in the death of a police officer and left 25 others injured, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday.
In a statement posted on X, Zelenskyy mentioned that Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko informed him about the suspect’s capture shortly after the early-morning assault.
“My deepest sympathies go out to the victim’s family and loved ones… All necessary resources have been allocated to the investigation. Legal procedures involving the suspect are currently underway. Further updates will be provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as the situation develops,” he stated.
According to a post by Ukraine’s National Police on Telegram, authorities initially responded to a report of a store break-in on Danylyshyn Street around 12:30 a.m.
Law enforcement officers are seen at the scene of explosions in central Lviv, Ukraine, on February 22, 2026. (Credit: Anastasiia Smolienko/Reuters)
After the first patrol police crew arrived at the scene, an explosion occurred. A second blast followed after another patrol unit responded.
Officials said preliminary findings indicate improvised explosive devices hidden inside garbage bins detonated in the city center.Â
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.