Russian soldier detained after five Ukrainian troops shot dead in Kharkiv region

Ukraine's Security Service has confirmed the detention of the attacker who shot dead five Ukrainian soldiers on 13 October in the village of Kutuzivka, in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine. The suspect is a 36-year-old Russian soldier from St. Petersburg who had previously been convicted in Russia. The agency did not say whether he is a prisoner of war.

What happened

The victims served in the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine's Armed Forces. According to the Military Law Enforcement Service, which polices the armed forces, a man in civilian clothes armed with an automatic weapon opened fire. The motive is still unknown.

The service said the slain soldiers got along well with their comrades and had no disciplinary problems.

Unconfirmed reports

The Ukrainian news outlet Hlavkom reported that police were searching for two Russian soldiers who had escaped captivity in connection with the killings. Suspilne, another Ukrainian outlet, cited law enforcement sources saying the gunman had already been detained in a district of Kharkiv. Police and prosecutors had not yet confirmed that account.

Ukrainian law enforcement is weighing several possible explanations for the attack and has not ruled out the involvement of Russian soldiers. The investigation continues.