All hostages taken in Lutsk, Ukraine were rescued safely
Xinhua News Agency, Kiev, July 21 (Reporter Li Dongxu) Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Avakov said on social media on the evening of the 21st that all the hostages taken in Lutsk City, Volen Region, Ukraine have been rescued safely and the hijackers surrendered to law enforcement officials After being arrested.
On the morning of the 21st, a man armed with weapons and explosive devices hijacked a bus carrying 13 people and claimed to blow up the vehicle. Subsequently, nearly 100 law enforcement officers from the Ukrainian National Police, National Security Agency and National Guard rushed to the scene. Earlier, media reported that more than 20 people were taken hostage.
At about 9 pm, the hijackers released two women and a child. Subsequently, law enforcement officers approached the bus in an armored vehicle and exchanged fire briefly with the hijacker. The hijacker was arrested after surrendering to law enforcement officers, and all the remaining 10 hostages were rescued.
Avakov said that the incident was premeditated. One of the hijackers’ accomplices was arrested in Kharkov Oblast, where law enforcement officers discovered the explosive device.
Ukrainian President Zelensky congratulated law enforcement officials on social media for successfully freeing the hostages. He said that law enforcement agencies formulated a response plan, and there were no casualties during the rescue process. “There is no room for terrorism in any country.”
According to Ukrainian media reports, the hijacker was 45-year-old Maxim Krivosei, who was sentenced twice for fraud, theft and illegal possession of weapons and served 10 years in prison. Krivosei's taking hostages may be out of dissatisfaction with the government.