Explosion rocks gas station in Ukraine, police wounded — fears of new wave of attacks

Key points:

• The explosion occurred around 06:10 p.m. at a non-operational gas station in Mykolaiv, where patrol police officers were present.

• Seven law enforcement officers were injured, two of them are in serious condition, and doctors are fighting for their lives.

• Police link the incident to a series of attacks on law enforcement, including the recent terror attack in Lviv.

• Explosive ordnance experts are working at the scene as investigators determine the cause of the blast and all circumstances of the incident.

• The incident has been classified as a terrorist attack, and prosecutors have launched a pre-trial investigation into an act of terrorism with severe consequences.

What is known about the explosion

The explosion happened around 06:10 p.m. at the site of the non-operational gas station. Officers from the Patrol Police Department were on site. They had arrived for a shift change and had parked their service vehicles.

Seven officers were wounded, two of them in serious condition.

"Doctors are fighting for their lives," Vyhivskyi said.

Photo: Police officers injured in explosion at gas station in Mykolaiv

Photo: Police officers injured in explosion at gas station in Mykolaiv

Photo: Police officers injured in explosion at gas station in Mykolaiv

Police link the incident to a series of attacks

Vyhivskyi recalled that two days ago, a terrorist attack against law enforcement officers took place in Lviv, where a policewoman was killed, and other police officers were wounded.

"This is not a coincidence. The enemy is deliberately targeting Ukrainian police officers who stand guard every day to protect the people and the state," he said.

Authorities regard the incidents as a deliberate attack on the law enforcement system and an attempt to destabilize the country.

Investigations are ongoing to determine all the circumstances of the explosion.

Ministry of Internal Affairs reaction

The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, told RBC-Ukraine that explosive ordnance experts are currently working at the scene. Investigations are continuing to establish the exact cause of the blast.

"My primary concern right now is the condition of the patrol officers. I have been instructed to decide now if anyone needs to be transported to Kyiv for treatment. I am receiving constant updates and keeping this under control. We will continue to inform the public," Klymenko said.

Zelenskyy’s statement

According to President Zelenskyy, two of the seven injured are in serious condition and are receiving the necessary medical care.

"All circumstances are being clarified, including the possibility of a terrorist attack. I instructed the National Police and the Security Service to provide the public with the necessary details," the President said.

The incident was classified as a terrorist attack

Under the procedural supervision of the Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a pre-trial investigation has been launched into a terrorist act that caused severe consequences.

Police clarified that at 06:20 p.m. today, an improvised explosive device detonated at the site of a non-operational gas station in Mykolaiv, located near the administrative building of the Patrol Police Department in the Mykolaiv region.

At the time of the explosion, patrol police officers who had arrived for a shift change were present at the gas station. Seven officers were injured in the blast, and two of them are in serious condition.

What the National Police say

According to police, the explosion in Mykolaiv has been classified as a terrorist attack. Preliminary findings indicate that an explosive device detonated, and law enforcement officers are currently working to determine its origin.

Photo: police officers injured in gas station explosion in Mykolaiv

Photo: police officers injured in gas station explosion in Mykolaiv

Photo: police officers injured in gas station explosion in Mykolaiv

Photo: police officers injured in gas station explosion in Mykolaiv

Photo: police officers injured in gas station explosion in Mykolaiv

Photo: police officers injured in gas station explosion in Mykolaiv

"As a result of the explosion, seven law enforcement officers sustained injuries of various degrees of severity, and two of them are in serious condition. Vehicles were also damaged," the statement said.

An operational investigative group, explosive ordnance experts, and other specialized services are currently working at the scene. Police are establishing all the circumstances of the incident and identifying those involved in the crime.

Terrorist attack in Lviv

On the night of February 22, two explosions shook the center of Lviv. It is known that before this, a call was made to the emergency line reporting a break-in at a store on Danylyshyn Street.

The first explosion occurred after a patrol police crew arrived, and the second when the next unit reached the scene. The attack killed a 23-year-old police officer, and more than 20 others were injured.

Authorities have identified a suspect believed to be involved in the crime. The woman was detained in Staryi Sambir and charged with terrorism, causing death, and illegal handling of weapons. Investigators say she may have planted explosives in trash bins and recorded the act on video.

Today, the Halytskyi District Court of Lviv ordered the suspect to be held in custody for 60 days without the possibility of bail.