The head of Ukraine's patrol police, Yevhen Zhukov, has resigned after two of his officers faced criticism for allegedly fleeing a deadly mass shooting in the capital Kiev, the BBC has reported.
Six people died and 14 others were injured on Saturday after a man opened fire on people on the street in the southern Holosiivskyi district of Kiev before taking more hostages in a nearby supermarket. He was later killed in a shootout with police.
Footage has since been shared online, which appears to show officers leaving the civilians and fleeing the scene.
Ukraine's Interior Minister, Igor Klymenko, said the officers in question had been suspended and that an investigation into their actions was underway.
"'Serve and protect' is not just a slogan. It must be supported by appropriate professional actions. Especially in critical moments, when people's lives depend on it," he wrote on Telegram.
However, Klymenko warned: “It is not entirely correct to make generalizations about the entire police force based on the actions of just two employees.”
Zhukov told a news conference on Sunday that the officers had “failed to properly assess the situation and put civilians in danger.” He also said they acted “unprofessionally and unworthy.”
"As a combat officer, I have decided to submit my resignation from the position I currently hold," Zhukov said.
t7 live
