Gunman killed after fatal attack on police officer in Ukraine Photo

A gunman who killed a police officer in Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi region was later shot dead by police after a manhunt and armed confrontation in a nearby forested area, officials said.

According to Ivan Vyhovskyi, head of the National Police of Ukraine, the attacker fled into woodland after the initial shooting and continued to pose a threat to civilians and law enforcement, Caliber.Az reports.

During his escape, the suspect reportedly threw a grenade at forestry service workers travelling in a vehicle, though no injuries were reported.

“He no longer cared whose life he took. At some point, the decision not to commit an offence because of the loss of his driving licence turned into a decision to kill. Special police units were deployed to search for the criminal. When the attacker saw the police armoured vehicle, he opened fire again. In response, the police acted professionally — the gunman was neutralised. But no successfully completed special operation will bring back the life of our police officer, who died today in the line of duty,” the statement said.

Police said special units were deployed following the officer’s killing, and the suspect was located in a wooded area where he engaged officers again before being “neutralised.”

By Sabina Mammadli