Ukraine War22 February, 20262 min read
Ukraine Arrests 33-Year-Old Woman Accused of Planting IEDs in Lviv Terror Attack That Killed Police Officer Viktoriia Shpylka
A 23-year-old police officer was killed in the Lviv explosions. Two IEDs planted in garbage bins detonated after police responded to a reported break-in.
14 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Russian Attack Kills At Least 33 On Two Buses In Kramatorsk →
Lviv shop explosions
Early on Feb. 22 in central Lviv, two improvised explosive devices placed in trash bins detonated as police responded to a reported break‑in at a shop.
“A terror attack in Lviv killed a 23-year-old policewoman and injured 25 people after two homemade bombs planted in waste bins detonated early Sunday.”
The blasts killed a 23‑year‑old patrol officer and injured about 25 people, with multiple victims hospitalized, officials said.
Authorities said the first blast struck a police car as it arrived and a second exploded when backup units reached the scene.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko described the attack as a major incident, and condolences were offered for the slain officer, identified by police as Viktoriia/Viktoria/Viktoriya Shpylka.
Sources report varying hospitalization counts and critical‑case numbers, with most citing around 25 injured and multiple law‑enforcement personnel among the wounded, so the reports contradict on exact figures.
Suspect detained after attack
Ukrainian authorities said they detained a 33‑year‑old woman in connection with the attack. Multiple outlets report President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed a suspect was held.
Lviv’s mayor and Interior Minister described the detainee as a Ukrainian woman from Rivne region. Reports differ on where she was arrested, with some saying she was detained in Rivne and others saying she was detained while trying to flee in the controlled border area of Staryi Sambir.
Alleged Russian involvement
Ukrainian officials and security services have publicly pointed to a 'Russian trace' in the attack. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and other outlets report investigators believe the suspect acted on instructions from an agent or 'curator' of Russia’s special services. Multiple sources describe this as an allegation by Ukrainian authorities and say the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is leading a pre-trial investigation into what officials call a terrorist act.
“Investigators are considering Russian involvement; Klymenko called the attack a ‘challenge to civilized society,’ saying the aggressor acts both on the frontline and via sabotage inside Ukraine.”
Media coverage overview
Reporting varies on personal and operational details. Some outlets provide biographical information about the slain officer and evidence being used by investigators. Others focus on the immediate operational response and national security implications.
Kyiv Post and UNITED24 detail the victim's service history and personal life. UNN highlights surveillance footage and the SBU-led capture. RFE/RL and Oz Arab place the incident amid a broader pattern of overnight Russian strikes and security strains.
