Andriy Parubiy, a former Ukrainian parliamentary speaker and key figure in Ukraine’s 2004 and 2014 pro-European protests, was fatally shot in western Ukraine on Saturday, officials announced.
Parubiy, 54, who also served as Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council secretary, was killed in Lviv.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the act as a “horrific murder,” committing to use “all necessary forces and means” in the investigation.
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Zelensky noted on social media that “the crime was meticulously planned.” Police are actively searching for the gunman.
A murder investigation has been launched, but no motives have been disclosed.
The prosecutor general’s office reported, “An unidentified assailant fired multiple shots, instantly killing Andriy Parubiy.”
Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne, citing unnamed sources, suggested the shooter was disguised as a delivery rider on an electric bike.
Photos of the crime scene, published by Ukrainian media, show a man with a bloodied face lying in the street, though their authenticity hasn’t been independently confirmed.
Tributes from Ukrainian officials to Parubiy, still a parliament member, hinted at suspicions of Russian involvement.
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, both nations have accused each other of political and military assassinations.
Russian state media reported that Parubiy has been wanted by Russian authorities since 2023.
‘Shot at the heart of Ukraine’
Parubiy, educated as a historian, championed Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union since his youth.
He was a strong advocate for prioritizing the Ukrainian language over Russian, a contentious issue.
During the 2014 Maidan protests, he led opposition self-defense forces.
That year, Ukrainian media reported he survived a grenade assassination attempt.
After ousting then-leader Viktor Yanukovych, who fled to Russia, Parubiy briefly served on the National Security and Defence Council.
Ex-president Petro Poroshenko, Yanukovych’s successor, honored Parubiy as a “brother-in-arms,” calling his murder “a shot at the heart of Ukraine.”
“The enemy will never kill the ideals Andriy Parubiy lived and fought for,” Poroshenko stated.
Mustafa Nayem, a key Maidan activist, remembered Parubiy as “open and approachable.”
“Andriy always maintained his humanity, remarkable for his political stature,” Nayem told AFP.
‘Killed by enemy bullets’
Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov honored Parubiy as “a statesman, patriot, and staunch advocate for Ukraine’s independence.”
He noted Parubiy had been “killed by enemy bullets,” without further details.
Current parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said Parubiy “dedicated his life to Ukraine’s independence from an early age.”
Lawmaker Iryna Gerashchenko called him “one of modern Ukraine’s founders.”
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski recognized Parubiy’s role in evacuating Poland’s consulate during Russia’s Crimea takeover.
“His assassination is shocking,” Sikorski stated.
