Former Ukrainian Parliamentary Speaker Andriy Parubiy Shot Dead in Lviv Amid Ongoing War Tensions
Lviv, Ukraine – August 30, 2025 – Andriy Parubiy, a prominent Ukrainian politician and former speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament), was shot dead in a brazen daylight assassination in the western city of Lviv on Saturday, officials confirmed. The 54-year-old lawmaker, a key figure in Ukraine’s pro-Western revolutions and a vocal critic of Russian aggression, was gunned down by an unidentified assailant disguised as a delivery courier, sparking a nationwide manhunt and renewed fears of targeted killings amid Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as a “horrendous murder” and vowed to deploy all resources to capture the perpetrator, while tributes poured in from leaders praising Parubiy’s legacy in defending Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The shooting occurred around noon local time in Lviv’s Frankivskyi district, near Parubiy’s residence on Yefremova Street. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the gunman fired several shots from a short-barreled firearm, striking Parubiy multiple times and killing him on the spot. Seven to eight shell casings were recovered at the scene, and the attacker fled on an electric bicycle, wearing a helmet and carrying a yellow delivery bag resembling those used by services like Glovo. Unverified footage circulating on social media shows the suspect approaching Parubiy from behind before opening fire and escaping. No arrests have been made, but a special operation codenamed “Siren” has been launched by Ukrainian law enforcement, involving the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and local police.
Zelenskyy, in a Telegram statement, expressed condolences to Parubiy’s family and emphasized the crime’s premeditated nature: “The crime was, unfortunately, carefully planned. But everything is being done to solve this crime.” Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko briefed the president on initial details, confirming the victim’s identity and launching an investigation into “intentional homicide.” Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi stressed the urgency: “This is a matter of security in a country at war, where, as we can see, there are no completely safe places.”
Parubiy’s Legacy: From Maidan Leader to Parliament Speaker
Born in 1971 in Lviv Oblast, Parubiy was a lifelong patriot and co-founder of the Social-National Party of Ukraine in 1991, which later evolved into the more moderate People’s Front. He rose to prominence during the 2004 Orange Revolution, protesting electoral fraud, and became a central figure in the 2013-2014 Euromaidan Revolution, leading self-defense units in Kyiv’s Independence Square against then-President Viktor Yanukovych’s pro-Russian regime. His efforts helped oust Yanukovych, paving the way for Ukraine’s pivot toward the European Union.
Following the revolution, Parubiy served as Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council from February to August 2014—a tumultuous period when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatists in Donbas, igniting the ongoing conflict. He then entered parliament in 2007, becoming First Deputy Speaker (2014-2016) and Speaker (2016-2019). A member of Petro Poroshenko’s European Solidarity party, Parubiy remained an active MP until his death, serving on the national security and defense committee. His outspoken criticism of Moscow made him a frequent target of Russian propaganda and disinformation, and he had been on Russia’s wanted list since November 2023, accused by the Russian Investigative Committee of atrocities in Donbas in 2014 that allegedly killed or injured 1,200 people.
Colleagues hailed Parubiy as a “true patriot” and “statesman.” Former President Petro Poroshenko called it “a shot fired at the heart of Ukraine,” adding, “Andriy was a great man and a true friend. That is why they take revenge.” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described him as someone who “made an enormous contribution to the defence of Ukraine’s freedom, independence and sovereignty. He was a man who rightfully belongs in the history books.” Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko labeled it a “profound loss,” urging a swift investigation. Current Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk echoed the sentiments, calling Parubiy a “consistent defender of Ukrainian statehood.”
Context: Escalating Assassinations Amid the War
The killing comes amid heightened tensions in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, now in its fourth year. Lviv, a western hub far from the front lines, has been relatively safe but is not immune—Russian missile strikes have targeted the city multiple times. Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed Parubiy was “killed by enemy bullets,” hinting at Russian involvement without evidence. Since the 2022 invasion, both sides have accused each other of assassinations: Ukraine has claimed responsibility for strikes on Russian generals like Igor Kirillov (December 2024) and Yaroslav Moskalik (earlier 2025), while Russia has been linked to killings of Ukrainian figures, including lawyer Andriy Portnov in Madrid (July 2025) and SBU officer Ivan Voronych in Kyiv (July 2025).
No motive has been officially stated, but investigators are exploring all possibilities, including ties to the war. Russian state media confirmed Parubiy’s wanted status but offered no comment on the killing. The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting, and the incident could complicate ongoing peace talks, with U.S. President Donald Trump pushing for a ceasefire.
Social media reactions have been swift and polarized. On X, Ukrainian users mourned Parubiy as a “hero of Maidan,” with posts like “Andriy Parubiy killed in Lviv—Russia’s reach knows no bounds.” Russian-linked accounts speculated on internal motives, such as “cleansing” by Zelenskyy’s team, though unsubstantiated. The Kyiv Independent and other outlets reported unverified footage of the body, underscoring the attack’s brazenness.
As the manhunt continues, Parubiy’s death serves as a stark reminder of the war’s long shadow, even in Ukraine’s “safest” regions. Updates are expected as the investigation unfolds, with Zelenskyy promising transparency.
Sources: The Guardian, Reuters, Euronews, POLITICO, Kyiv Independent, Al Jazeera, RFE/RL, CNN, Anadolu Agency, The Independent, BBC News, Sky News, The Telegraph, Bloomberg, India Today, CBS News