Clashes in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka: People try to break down gates of house, no hostages. VIDEO
On 2 November, people in the village of Petropavlivska Borshchahivka in the Kyiv region are trying to break down the gates of a private house where around 40 people are allegedly being held. Law enforcement agencies have already denied this report.
This was reported by Kyiv region police and the National Guard in a comment to Ukrinform, according to Censor.NET.
What is happening at the scene
Initial social media reports claimed that unidentified individuals were holding 40 people in a basement in the village. Footage from the scene shows people shouting demands to be let into the house, kicking the gates, and claiming that "people are being tortured" inside. There were also reports that someone had been killed in the clashes.
In response, foam and tear gas were reportedly sprayed towards the crowd from inside the property in an attempt to stop people.
According to local media reports citing the deputy head of Kyiv region police, military commanders are heading to the scene.
What police and the National Guard say
The National Guard’s press service told Ukrinform that there was currently no information about anyone being killed or injured.
"Claims that people are being unlawfully detained and that a citizen has died are untrue," the press service stressed.
- Kyiv region police explained that they had received a call from a private ambulance crew reporting that they were being prevented from reaching a man. Upon arrival, officers established that the incident was taking place near a private house, with local residents gathered nearby.
"The leadership of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Kyiv region and commanders of the National Guard of Ukraine are working at the scene. The circumstances are being established. We urge citizens to use only official sources of information and refrain from spreading unverified reports," the police said in their official comment.
- Media reports claimed that armed men were holding around 40 people in a basement in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka. According to preliminary media information, one man who may have gone absent without leave from his military unit is on the premises.
Updated NGU statement
The National Guard reported on its official social media accounts that those who needed medical assistance had been taken away by ambulance around two hours earlier.
"Diagnoses or injuries will be established and information provided later. Reports that any of those involved in these events have died are untrue. Dialogue is ongoing," it added.
