Andriy Parubiy, Former Ukrainian Speaker, Gunned Down in Lviv

Sat Sep 13 2025 14:13:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The assassination of Andriy Parubiy, a prominent Ukrainian politician and former speaker of parliament, raises questions about security and political motivations in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Andriy Parubiy, a key figure in Ukraine's political landscape, was shot dead in Lviv amidst growing concerns about his assassination's implications for national security. The suspect, disguised as a courier, launched the attack in a carefully planned operation, prompting a widespread manhunt. President Zelensky condemned the murder as a 'terrible act', while authorities investigate potential motives, including foreign involvement.

The former speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, Andriy Parubiy, has been shot dead in the western city of Lviv, official reports confirm.

Unverified footage reportedly shows a gunman dressed as a courier approaching Parubiy on the street with a weapon before fleeing the scene. A significant manhunt is currently underway for the suspect.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky labeled Saturday's attack as a 'terrible murder,' extending condolences to Parubiy's family.

Parubiy, aged 54, gained prominence during Ukraine's Euromaidan protests, advocating for closer ties with the EU and contributing to the downfall of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.

A special operation named 'Siren' has been initiated by Ukrainian authorities to locate and apprehend the suspected shooter. Zelensky stated that 'all necessary forces and means are being deployed.'

According to prosecutors, an unidentified gunman fired several shots at Parubiy, who died at the scene. Lviv police chief Oleksandr Shliakhovskyi revealed the gunman fired about eight shots from a yet-to-be-identified firearm, and the attack appeared to be meticulously planned.

Investigations are exploring all possible motives for the shooting, including the possibility of Russian involvement. Police found seven shell casings at the scene, where the attacker was disguised as a courier for delivery service Glovo.

On Saturday, a spokeswoman for Glovo expressed shock at the brutal crime and committed to cooperating with the investigation.

Parubiy played a crucial role in the Euromaidan movement, organizing armed protest teams guarding the tent camps in Kyiv. He sustained injuries during clashes with riot police and later served as the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council during a tumultuous period that saw the annexation of Crimea by Russia.

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Parubiy joined the territorial defense forces. He was a sitting lawmaker in Ukraine's current parliament at the time of his death.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha hailed Parubiy as a patriot who significantly contributed to Ukraine's fight for freedom and independence. Former President Petro Poroshenko remarked that the assassination was 'a shot fired at the heart of Ukraine,' commemorating Parubiy's dedication to building a strong Ukrainian military.