A high-ranking Ukrainian official has been gunned down in a shocking daylight assassination in the Russian-occupied city of Horlivka.
Mykola Volokha, a prominent local politician, was shot multiple times outside his own home in what is being described as a targeted killing by occupying forces.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a series of loud gunshots followed by the sight of the victim lying on the ground. Emergency services were called to the scene, but Mr Volokha succumbed to his injuries.
A Pattern of Political Violence
This brutal murder is the latest in a string of attacks on Ukrainian officials and pro-Kyiv figures in territories currently controlled by Russian forces. The occupation authorities have systematically targeted those who oppose their rule.
Horlivka, located in the Donetsk region, has been under Russian control since 2014. The city remains a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict, with reports of repression and violence against civilians commonplace.
International Condemnation
The assassination has drawn swift condemnation from Ukrainian officials, who have pointed the finger directly at Moscow's security apparatus. They accuse Russia of employing tactics of intimidation and terror to solidify its control over occupied territories.
This incident is likely to further inflame tensions and complicate any potential diplomatic resolutions to the conflict. The international community continues to monitor the situation with grave concern.
