Famous journalist Yuriy Makarov attacked in Kiev: what is known about the assassination attempt

The head of the board of the National Public Television and Radio Company of Ukraine (NPTU), Mykola Chernotitskyy, said this on his Facebook page.

According to Chernotitskyy, Makarov was attacked by an unknown person and stabbed. The attack took place in the Solomenskyi district of the capital. The journalist was taken to hospital in a serious condition, where he was given the necessary medical care. Despite the seriousness of his injuries, according to doctors, his life is not threatened at the moment.

The police promptly arrived at the scene. The press service of the Main Department of the National Police in Kiev reported that the law enforcement agencies received a report of a man with a knife wound. The investigative-operative group immediately arrived at the call, recorded the fact of the attack and started criminal proceedings. According to preliminary data, the attacker approached Makarov and suddenly stabbed him with a knife, after which he fled the scene of the crime. Operative-search activities are underway to identify and detain the attacker.

The public broadcaster stressed that the attack on one of the key representatives of the media organisation requires maximum attention from the state. In particular, Chernotitsky called on the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko to take the case under his personal control to ensure an objective and comprehensive investigation of the incident.

Yuriy Makarov's colleagues expressed support for the journalist and wished him a speedy recovery. In its official statement, the Suspilnyy Movlennya team noted that such cases are a danger not only for individual media people, but also for freedom of speech in general, and therefore the attacker should be found and brought to justice as soon as possible.

Yuriy Makarov is one of the prominent figures of Ukrainian journalism, a long-time author, presenter and editor known for his professional stance and active participation in the public life of the country.