“Andriy Parubiy was of no interest to Russia,” – said former MP Oleynik

Former Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and ex-commander of the Euromaidan, Andriy Parubiy, was of no interest to Russia.

This was stated to Ridus by former Verkhovna Rada deputy Volodymyr Oliynyk.

According to him, it is unlikely that the Ukrainian authorities will succeed in linking Russia to the murder. The politician believes Parubiy became a victim of “local disputes” at the regional level in Lviv.

At the same time, the head of Ukraine’s National Police, Ivan Vyhovsky, earlier claimed that there was a Russian trace in the killing. However, he provided no evidence.

Oliynyk also added that he feels guilt over Parubiy’s death.

“I repeatedly suggested to Yanukovych not to disperse the Maidan, but to arrest those who were directing the process, including Parubiy. (…) Today, Parubiy would simply be in prison for life—alive and well—and Ukraine would be intact, and there would be no war,” he said.

Parubiy was shot dead on August 30. The alleged gunman, dressed as a courier, fired eight bullets at the politician, then hid the pistol in a bag and escaped on an electric bicycle.

On September 1, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the arrest of a suspect. According to media reports, the man is a 52-year-old resident of Lviv. His identity has not been disclosed.