Lviv police officer, 23, killed in explosions in western Ukraine
BBC World
February 22, 2026
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A police officer in Lviv, western Ukraine, was killed and 25 people were injured when two homemade explosive devices detonated overnight in what officials are calling a terrorist attack. The explosions occurred after police responded to a reported break-in at a city center shop. The first blast happened when a police car arrived at the scene, and a second explosion followed when additional units arrived. Among those injured were six law enforcement officers, some in serious condition.
The suspect, a 33-year-old Ukrainian woman from the Rivne region, has been detained by authorities. Police identified her as the individual suspected of carrying out the attack, which was described as an act of terrorism by the regional prosecutor's office. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with officials working to identify other potential accomplices.
This attack comes amid heightened tensions in Ukraine, particularly as the country approaches the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. Overnight Russian strikes across Ukraine targeted energy infrastructure, residential buildings, and railways, with Kyiv reporting that its air defenses intercepted 50 missiles and nearly 300 drones. At least one person was killed in the Kyiv region, while a woman and child were injured.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by Ukraine as it grapples with both internal acts of terrorism and external aggression from Russia. The attack on law enforcement, particularly a young police officer who had only recently started her service during the invasion, underscores the dangers faced by those working to maintain public safety in the region.
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/22/2026