Lviv Terrorist Attack: Suspect Remanded in Custody, Linked to Russian Curator

Lviv, Ukraine – Iryna Savetina, a 33-year-old woman suspected of organizing a terrorist attack in Lviv that resulted in the death of a police officer and injuries to over 20 others, has been remanded in custody for two months without bail, a court in Lviv ruled on February 23, 2026. Savetina allegedly confessed to acting on the orders of a “curator” and receiving a promise of $2,000 for her involvement.

Details of the Lviv Attack

On the night of February 22, Lviv police responded to a reported break-in at a store on Danylyshina Street. As patrol police crews arrived at the scene, two explosions occurred, detonated by improvised explosive devices according to reports. The explosions resulted in the death of 23-year-old policewoman Victoria Shpilka, from the Volyn region, and injured both law enforcement officers and civilians.

Suspect’s Background and Recent Activity

Iryna Savetina is a citizen of Ukraine and resided in Kostopol, Rivne region. She registered as a sole proprietor on January 10, 2026, engaging in real estate trading according to public registers. Prior to this, Savetina reportedly faced financial difficulties and took out microloans. Her mother stated she last saw her in October 2025, when Savetina announced she was going to function in Poland, a claim she now disputes.

Connection to Russia

During interrogation, Savetina admitted to having contact with a Russian curator, suggesting a coordinated effort behind the attack. Authorities are investigating the extent of this connection and whether the Lviv attack is linked to a broader pattern of targeting Ukrainian law enforcement.

Similar Attack in Mykolaiv

The Lviv attack follows a similar incident in Mykolaiv, where seven patrol police officers were injured in an explosion at a disused petrol station on February 23, 2026. Ukrainian authorities are investigating whether this was similarly a targeted terrorist attack as reported by Yahoo News. President Zelenskyy has instructed law enforcement agencies to investigate potential further attacks.

Savetina’s Apology and Potential Sentence

At the trial, Savetina apologized for her actions and expressed condolences to the victims, claiming she was unaware of the contents of the package she handled. She now faces a potential life imprisonment sentence.