Details emerge in fatal shooting of Azerbaijani citizens in Ukraine’s Fastiv

New information has come to light regarding the fatal shooting of two Azerbaijani individuals in the town of Fastiv, Kyiv region, Ukraine. The incident, which occurred on August 31, has prompted a criminal investigation and public outcry, Report has learned from Ukrainian law enforcement sources.

The alleged shooter has been identified as 50-year-old Oleksandr Volodymyrovych Ivanenko, a Ukrainian national and Fastiv resident. Authorities confirmed that Ivanenko served in the Ukrainian Armed Forces between the spring of 2022 and autumn 2023, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

According to Dmytro Prokudin, head of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, the shooting followed a street dispute involving the suspect and two watermelon vendors—both ethnic Azerbaijanis and Ukrainian citizens.

“The victims were father and son – Ferman Rahimov and his son Ismayil,” Prokudin stated. “An argument broke out during a conversation with the suspect, who is a former soldier. As the conflict escalated, the 52-year-old Fastiv resident returned home, retrieved a pistol, came back, and began shooting at the two men.”

Tragically, Ismayil Rahimov died at the scene. His father, Ferman Rahimov, sustained gunshot wounds and was hospitalized. He has since been discharged and is now arranging his son’s funeral.

A police officer who happened to be nearby—though off duty at the time—intervened and was instrumental in the suspect's capture. “Fulfilling his civic duty, the officer managed to apprehend the armed individual on the spot. Other law enforcement personnel arrived shortly after and placed the suspect under arrest,” Prokudin added.

The assailant has been charged under three articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, including attempted murder of two or more persons, a charge that carries a sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment.

Prosecutors have ordered comprehensive forensic examinations to support the investigation. As of now, authorities have stated there is no evidence to suggest the shooting was motivated by ethnic or racial hatred.

The investigation remains ongoing.

By Vafa Guliyeva