Ukrainian authorities have arrested a suspect accused of carrying out a deadly “terrorist attack” in central Lviv that killed one police officer and injured 25 others, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday.
Zelenskyy said in a message on X that Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported the detention after the early morning attack.
“My condolences to the family and loved ones… All necessary resources have been made available for the investigation. The required procedural actions involving the detainee are underway. The Ministry of Interior will provide further updates as necessary,” he wrote.
Ukraine’s National Police said in a message on Telegram that authorities initially received a report of a burglary at a store on Danylyshyn Street around 12:30 p.m.
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Police officers stand at the scene of explosions in central Lviv, Ukraine, on February 22, 2026. (Anastasiia Smolienko/Reuters)
After the first patrol police arrived on the scene, an explosion occurred. A second explosion followed after another patrol unit responded.
Officials said preliminary findings indicate improvised explosive devices hidden in garbage bins were detonated in the city center.
Police launched a large-scale operation after the explosions, deploying explosives technicians, canine units and other specialist teams.
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Emergency services work at the scene after explosions killed a 23-year-old policewoman and injured 24 people in Lviv, Ukraine on February 22, 2026. (Olena Znak/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The National Police said 23-year-old policewoman Victoria Shpylka was killed in the explosion, while 25 people suffered injuries of varying severity. Eleven victims were hospitalized, including six law enforcement officers in serious condition.
A 33-year-old woman from the Rivne region was arrested several hours later in the border area of Stary Sambir in connection with the attack.
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Ukrainian law enforcement officers secure the area after an explosion rocked a store in Lviv, Ukraine on February 22, 2026. (Yuriy Dyachyshyn/AFP via Getty Images)
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Investigators allege she acted at the direction of a “curator” linked to Russian special services who manufactured and planted the explosives.
“There is every reason to believe that the crime was committed on the orders of Russia. It is not the first time that the enemy deliberately creates death traps for Ukrainian law enforcement officers. And at the same time takes advantage of our recruited citizens,” Klymenko said.
