Dramatic footage has revealed the terrifying moment a man armed with an AK-47 assault rifle unleashed a hail of gunfire inside a supermarket in Russian-occupied Ukraine.
Christmas Day Panic in the Aisles
The incident, which took place on the evening of Christmas Day, saw the gunman open fire indiscriminately, sending shoppers and staff into a panicked scramble for safety. The attacker did not appear to aim at people, instead shooting at shelves in the alcohol section and near pasta, rice, and sugar. The repeated sound of gunshots triggered immediate chaos.
"People ran to the exit, I also rushed out and fled into a utility room. The sounds [of gunshots] kept repeating," recounted one saleswoman. Another staff member described cowering in fear as the situation unfolded.
Swift Police Action Prevents Tragedy
In a remarkable turn of events, no shoppers or staff were reported injured thanks to the swift and brave intervention of police officers in the Donetsk region. Female employees managed to trigger a panic button, alerting authorities.
"The police officers arrived very quickly and managed to disarm this man," said a sales assistant. Officers reportedly ran towards the assailant near the vegetable counter. One officer fired his pistol before charging the gunman, overpowering him and forcing him to throw down his rifle. The shooter was then detained and seen tied to a chair. It remains unclear if he sustained any injuries during his arrest.
Medals Awarded Amidst Unclear Motive
The motive for the shocking attack is still unknown. In the aftermath, Denis Pushilin, the Moscow-installed leader of Donetsk, awarded bravery medals to the police officers who, he said, "distinguished themselves in the capture of the criminal." A report praised the officers who "arrived and neutralised him," stating they had "risked their lives."
Only after the scene was secured were terrified staff contacted and told it was safe to leave their hiding places. The footage of the event has emerged publicly some time after the Christmas Day ordeal.
