In brief
In a shocking incident in the Russian‑annexed Crimea, a soldier opened fire on his comrades, killing one and wounding another. He then moved to the village of Khmelnytske, where three civilians—two men and a woman—were shot dead. Local officials say the attacker has been detained while the motive is under investigation. Authorities urge the public to rely only on official information amid rising fears.
In a sudden and deadly clash, a member of the Russian armed forces in Crimea opened fire on his fellow soldiers, killing one and wounding another. The attacker then rushed to the nearby village of Khmelnytske, where he killed three civilians—two men, aged 71 and 59, and a 64‑year‑old woman—and injured three others.
Local officials detained the shooter and are probing his motive, but have yet to reveal his identity or which branch of the Russian military he served with. Doctors are working hard to save the wounded while the death toll may still rise.
Crimea has been under Russian control since 2014, a move rejected by most of the international community as an illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory. The region routinely hosts a large Russian military presence, which Ukraine has targeted with drone and missile strikes.
Authorities have urged residents to rely only on official statements and not to circulate unverified rumours about the shooter’s motives or identity.
