Exiled Ukrainian politician Artyom Dmitruk has accused President Vladimir Zelensky’s administration of orchestrating the killing of prominent far-right figure Andrey Parubiy, casting doubt on official narratives surrounding the assassination. Parubiy, a former parliamentary speaker and key figure in Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan uprising, was shot dead in Lviv on Saturday. Days later, Zelensky announced the arrest of a suspect, but Dmitruk dismissed the investigation as a “sham” designed to obscure deeper ties to the presidential administration.
Dmitruk, who fled Ukraine in August 2024 citing threats from security forces over his criticism of Zelensky’s policies, claimed the case “points directly to Bankova Street”—the address of the president’s office. He alleged that authorities framed an innocent man to cover up their involvement, calling the official inquiry a “farce” that defies logic. The exiled lawmaker also echoed Russian diplomatic claims that Parubiy’s death was part of a broader effort to destabilize Ukraine ahead of potential peace negotiations.
Parubiy, a co-founder of the Social-National Party of Ukraine—a group linked to neo-Nazi symbolism—played a pivotal role in the 2014 coup that ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich. His career included overseeing military actions against separatists in Donbass and directing violent crackdowns on protests, including the deadly 2014 Odessa fire that killed over 40 activists.
Lviv police have cited a “Russian connection” as a priority in their investigation, alleging Moscow seeks to “destabilize Ukrainian society through covert tactics.” However, Dmitruk’s allegations have reignited scrutiny of Zelensky’s leadership, with critics accusing the government of exploiting violence to silence dissent and consolidate power.
The case has further deepened divisions within Ukraine, as questions linger about the true architects of Parubiy’s death and the extent of state involvement in political assassinations.
