Former Ukrainian parliament speaker, Andriy Parubiy, was tragically shot and killed on Saturday in the western city of Lviv, Ukraine. Parubiy, 54, was gunned down by an unknown assailant, reportedly on an e-bike, who approached him in a hail of bullets. The shooting occurred around midday in the Frankivsk district, where authorities quickly arrived at the scene.

Zelensky Condemns “Horrific Murder” of Andriy Parubiy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the tragic news, condemning the attack as a “horrific murder” and offering his heartfelt condolences to Parubiy’s family and friends. “The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko and Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko have just reported the first known circumstances of the terrible murder in Lviv. Andriy Parubiy was killed. My condolences to his family and friends. All necessary forces and means are being deployed to investigate and find the killer,” Zelensky posted on Telegram.

The shooting has left the nation reeling, with authorities still unclear about the motives behind the crime. Initial reports suggested the gunman was disguised as a courier, using an e-bike to carry out the attack. Lviv’s police, together with Ukraine’s national security services, have initiated an investigation into the incident, though no arrest has been made yet.

Parubiy Remembered for Key Role

Parubiy was known for his influential role in Ukraine’s Maidan movement, which demanded closer ties with the European Union and played a pivotal part in the downfall of the pro-Russian government of Viktor Yanukovych in 2014. He had also been a prominent figure in the Orange Revolution of 2004.

According to police, Parubiy died at the scene due to gunshot wounds sustained in the attack. The assailant’s identity remains unknown, and law enforcement agencies have made it clear that all available resources will be used to track down the killer.

Zelensky Promises Full Investigation

In his statement, Zelensky emphasised that “All necessary forces and means are being deployed to investigate and find the killer.” The killing has raised questions regarding possible political motives, given Parubiy’s prominent role in Ukraine’s pro-European movements.

While the investigation is still in its early stages, the Ukrainian government has assured that finding the killer is their top priority. In the wake of the assassination, Parubiy’s colleagues and supporters are mourning the loss of a key political figure who helped shape Ukraine’s modern identity.