Late Saturday night into Sunday, the center of Lviv was shaken by a series of explosive device detonations. As a result of the attack, a 23-year-old police officer was killed and 24 people were injured. The explosions occurred after a reported break-in at a store, suggesting a planned ambush for uniformed services. City authorities unequivocally define the event as an act of terrorism, while investigators are examining sabotage leads.

Ambush on Police

The explosions occurred after a false break-in report, indicating a deliberate attempt to lure officers to the location where the bombs were planted.

Victims and Injured

A 23-year-old policewoman was killed, and 24 people were injured; hospitalized victims are in varying conditions, including serious.

Investigation Ongoing

The Prosecutor's Office has classified the event as a terrorist act; connections of the perpetrators with foreign intelligence services are being investigated.

The dramatic events began just after midnight, when Lviv services received a report of an alleged break-in at a store on Danylyshyna Street, near the Magnus shopping center. When the first patrol arrived on the scene, the first improvised explosive device was detonated. Shortly after, when reinforcements arrived, a second explosion occurred. As a result of the injuries sustained, a 23-year-old policewoman lost her life, and the casualty count rose to 24 people, some of whom are in serious condition. Injuries were sustained by both officers and bystanders near the epicenter of the event. Since the outbreak of full-scale war in 2022, Lviv had been considered a relatively safe haven for internally displaced persons, though it regularly became a target of missile attacks. However, Saturday's incident is the first such brutal case of using ground-based explosive devices directly targeting local law enforcement in the heart of the city. The Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation under the article concerning a terrorist act. The lack of an air raid alarm at the moment of the explosions confirmed that the threat did not come from the air, but was the result of on-site sabotage. The facades of nearby tenement houses, police cars, and civilian vehicles were damaged. The city mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, expressed deep condolences to the victim's family and emphasized that the city will not bow to terror. Simultaneously, an uneasy night continued on Ukrainian territory; Russian attacks also affected Kyiv and the Fastiv district, where civilian casualties were reported. „Це однозначно терористичний акт. У нас 15 людей отримують медичну допомогу. Дехто перебуває у дуже важкому стані. Одна поліцейська загинула.” (This is unequivocally a terrorist act. We have 15 people receiving medical assistance. Some are in a very serious condition. One policewoman has died.) — Andriy Sadovyi The situation in Lviv remains tense, and the city center has been cordoned off with a security perimeter. Technical services and pyrotechnicians are checking nearby buildings for the presence of other dangerous items. The investigation aims to clarify whether Russian sabotage groups or local politically-motivated criminal cells are behind the attack. This incident has significantly impacted the sense of security in the region bordering Poland.

Mentioned People

  • Andrij Sadowy — Mayor of Lviv, who confirmed information about the terrorist attack and the victims.
  • Robert Fico — Prime Minister of Slovakia mentioned in the context of energy tensions with Ukraine.