Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy issues statement after top politician assassinated

President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed the arrest of a suspect in the shooting of prominent Ukrainian politician Andriy Parubiy.

The National Police of Ukraine were alerted to reports of gunfire in Lviv's Sykhivskyi district around midday on Saturday, 30 August. Tragically, 54-year-old Parubiy was pronounced dead at the scene. The assailant, disguised as a delivery driver, made his escape from the scene on a bicycle.

In a statement released in the early hours of Monday morning, Ukraine's Interior Minister Igor Klymenko announced that the suspect had been apprehended in the western Khmelnytskyi region.

President Zelensky took to X to share: "Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko and Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk have just reported the apprehension of a suspect in the murder of Andriy Parubiy. The necessary investigative actions are ongoing."

He added: I have instructed that the available information be presented to the public. I thank our law enforcement officers for their prompt and coordinated work. All the circumstances of this horrendous murder must be clarified.

"Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko and the head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk have just reported on the detention of a suspect in the murder of Andriy Parubiy. Necessary investigative actions are ongoing. I have instructed to present the available information to the public.

"Thank you to the law enforcement officers for their prompt and coordinated work. All circumstances of this horrific murder must be clarified."

Authorities provided no immediate indication whether the killing bore any direct connection to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Parubiy, who had occupied the key position of speaker in the Ukrainian parliament, was an important figure in the movement that ousted the pro-Russian government in 2014, personally commanding thousands of protesters during the Euromaiden protests against Kremlin interference and political corruption.

Former President Petro Poroshenko declared on Telegram that the assassination of Parubiy, who served as a member of the parliamentary committee on national security, defence and intelligence, represented 'a shot fired at the heart of Ukraine. ' He stated: "Andriy was a great man and a true friend. That is why they take revenge, that is what they are afraid of."

A police statement issued on social media revealed "an unknown man fired several shots at a politician, as a result of which Andriy Parubiy died on the spot" To date, officials have offered no commentary regarding the potential motive behind the assassination.

Parubiy stood as a "consistent defender of Ukrainian statehood", according to current speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk. Stefanchuk declared: "On behalf of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, I express my condolences to Andrii's family and friends.."