Rivne Oblast, Ukraine – A 72-year-old man has killed five people at a facility housing internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Rivne region of western Ukraine, police reported on . The attack, carried out with an axe and a hammer, took place in the early hours of the morning in the village of Sudobyči.
According to authorities, the incident unfolded as a domestic dispute within a former school building now used to shelter those displaced by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The suspect, himself an IDP originally from the Donetsk region, allegedly attacked the victims during an altercation. Police received notification of the incident at approximately local time, alerted by a social worker who heard screams.
The victims have been identified as two men aged 60 and 68, and two women aged 81 and 78, all originally from the Donetsk region. A 56-year-old woman from the Kirovohrad region also died as a result of the attack. All five victims died at the scene from their injuries.
Images released by the Rivne region police depict a scene of violence, showing a significant hole in a door, traces of blood on an axe and the floor of the building, and the suspect in handcuffs with blood on his hands. The photographs offer a stark visual representation of the brutality of the attack.
The suspect has been detained, and a criminal investigation has been launched under Article 115, part 2, of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, pertaining to premeditated murder of two or more persons. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to establish a clear motive for the attack.
While initial reports indicate the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute, the precise circumstances leading to the escalation of violence remain unclear. Police have described the situation as a conflict that “escalated into a fight” between residents of the shelter. The location, a repurposed school building, highlights the challenges faced by Ukraine in providing adequate housing and support for the large number of people displaced by the war.
The attack underscores the immense strain placed on communities hosting IDPs, and the potential for tensions to arise within these vulnerable populations. Ukraine has seen millions displaced since the full-scale invasion by Russia, with many seeking refuge in western regions of the country. The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has been working with regional administrations, including Rivne, to address the humanitarian needs of these displaced communities. A recent Memorandum of Understanding between UNHCR and the Rivne Regional State Administration aims to solidify ongoing collaboration in supporting IDPs in the region.
The scale of displacement within Ukraine is vast. According to UNHCR data, hostilities have led to the destruction of over 1.4 million housing units, forcing millions to seek shelter elsewhere. The Rivne region, like others in western Ukraine, has absorbed a significant influx of IDPs, placing a burden on local resources and infrastructure.
This incident comes at a sensitive time for Ukraine, as the country continues to grapple with the ongoing conflict and the humanitarian crisis it has created. The attack is likely to raise concerns about the safety and security of IDPs, and the need for increased support to address the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to tensions within these communities. The focus will likely turn to the psychological well-being of those living in displacement centers and the resources available to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Rivne region police have not released further details regarding the suspect’s background or potential mental health issues. The investigation will likely focus on interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence to determine the full sequence of events leading up to the attack. The prosecutor-general’s office is overseeing the investigation, ensuring a thorough and impartial inquiry.
The attack in Sudobyči serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of the conflict in Ukraine, extending beyond the front lines to impact the lives of those seeking safety and refuge within the country. The incident highlights the urgent need for continued international support to address the humanitarian crisis and provide assistance to those affected by the war.
