The attack on Kharkiv mayor Hennadiy Kernes may be aimed at destabilizing the situation in the region, Deputy Interior Minister Serhiy Yarovy has said. Law enforcers are considering several motives for the assassination attempt on Kernes, the press service of the Interior Ministry Affairs of Ukraine reported.
“One of the principal theories is the response of separatists to the recent events that took place in Kharkiv,” the report says.
He also noted that law-enforcers had found evidence, including firearms cartridges, at the site.
The Interior Ministry noted that on April 27, Kharkiv police detain radicals who had a box of Molotov cocktails, masks, wooden sticks, improvised explosive devices and nails.
On April 28, Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes sustained a gunshot wound to his back. Kernes has had surgery and is in serious condition.
A criminal case was opened into the attempt on the mayor’s life.
According to Interfax-Ukraine, an improvised explosive device was found on the highway in Belhorod region, where Kernes was shot.
