The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has confirmed the tragic death of Colonel Ivan Voronich, a senior operational officer, who was fatally shot in a targeted attack early Thursday morning in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv.
According to eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage, Col. Voronich was leaving his residence around 8:00 AM when an unidentified assailant approached and fired five shots at close range using a pistol equipped with a silencer. The officer sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
Col. Voronich was reportedly the head of the 1st division of the SBU’s 16th department, overseeing high-level operations including counter-terrorism and special missions. His service to Ukraine dates back to 2014, during which he played a pivotal role in national security efforts amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
Former intelligence officer Roman Chervinsky and ex-MP Ihor Mosiychuk have publicly attributed the assassination to Russian special services, though official investigations are still underway. The SBU and National Police have launched a joint operation to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.
“This is a profound loss for Ukraine’s intelligence community,” said a spokesperson for the SBU. “Colonel Voronich was a patriot and a protector. His legacy will endure in the continued fight for our nation’s sovereignty.”