On the night of 22 February, a terrorist attack took place in Lviv, killing 23-year-old patrol police officer Viktoria Shpylka. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that the National Police, together with the Security Service of Ukraine, had detained the suspected bomber of Lviv law enforcement officers.
Operational measures and investigative actions are currently underway, and other individuals who may be involved in the crime are also being identified.
What is known about the consequences of the explosions
According to official information:
- Patrol police officer Viktoria Shpylka (23 years old) was killed;
- 25 people were injured;
- 11 victims remain in medical facilities;
- Six law enforcement officers are in serious condition.
- A patrol police vehicle and a civilian vehicle were damaged.
Ihor Klymenko expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased police officer and stressed that law enforcement officers respond to calls every day, risking their own safety to protect people. The minister also thanked the team investigating this terrorist attack and stressed that those responsible must be brought to justice and punished fairly.
How events unfolded in Lviv
At around 00:30, the 102 emergency line received a report of a break-in at a shop on Danilyshyn Street.
After the first patrol police crew arrived, an explosion occurred. Subsequently, when the second crew arrived at the scene, another explosion occurred.
It has been preliminarily established that homemade explosive devices were used.
Investigative teams, bomb disposal experts and other relevant services worked at the scene. The victims were provided with the necessary medical assistance.
Investigation and legal classification
A criminal case has been opened under Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — a terrorist act that caused serious consequences. The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine in the Lviv region. Law enforcement officers are establishing all the circumstances and the full circle of persons involved.
Who did the patrol police lose?
The Lviv Region Patrol Police reported that their colleague Viktoria Shpylka was killed during the night-time terrorist attack — she was only 23 years old.
She is originally from Volyn, but later moved to Kherson with her parents. Viktoria graduated from Lviv State University of Internal Affairs and chose to serve people: she first worked in the Kherson region, and since 2023, she has been working in the Lviv region.
Her colleagues remember her as sensitive, sincere and responsible, loyal to her oath and her work. Last autumn, Victoria got married; her husband also serves in the patrol police.