Mikhail Scelnikov Arrested in Connection with teh Murder of Former Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy
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On September 2, 2024, the Galician District Court of lviv arrested Mikhail Scelnikov for 60 days, suspecting him of the murder of Andriy Parubiy, the former speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. Scelnikov reportedly confessed to the killing, citing “revenge on the Ukrainian authorities” as his motive.
Confession and Motive
In statements to reporters, Scelnikov denied claims that he was blackmailed by Russian special services. According to a report by UNIAN, he stated, “This is not true. All I want is to have a sentence rather. Yes,I admit,I killed him. And I want to ask me to be exchanged for prisoners of war so that I can go [to Russia] and find the body of his son.”
The Disappearance of Mikhail-Victor Scelnikov
The suspect’s son, Mikhail-Victor Scelnikov (call sign “Lemberg”), is reportedly missing. He volunteered to fight in February 2022 and disappeared in the Bakhmut area in May 2023.Prior to the war, he worked at the Lviv IT company Turnkey Lender.
Target Selection
When questioned about why he targeted Parubiy, Scelnikov indicated the former speaker’s proximity. He stated that if he had lived in Vinnytsia, he might have targeted former Ukrainian President Petro poroshenko instead.
The Murder of Andriy Parubiy
Andriy Parubiy was shot and killed in Lviv on August 30, 2024. The assailant, disguised as a delivery courier, fired eight shots at the politician and fled the scene on an electric bike. Scelnikov was apprehended the following day near the border of the Khmelnytskyi region.
Background on Andriy parubiy
Andriy Parubiy had a significant role in Ukrainian politics and the Euromaidan Revolution. He served as the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of ukraine from 2014 to 2019 and was the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) from 2016 to 2019. He was a prominent figure in the People’s Front party.