Deputy Police Chief Andriy Nebytov told Ukrainian TV broadcasters that investigators so far have found no evidence of collaborators in Ukraine.
“We know the suspect intended to go to Khmelnytskyi Oblast, where he expected to lie low for a while,” Nebytov said.
“By Sept. 1, he was awaiting instructions from his [Russian] handler on how to cross the state border illegally.”
Nebytov also warned that Russia continues to recruit Ukrainians for sabotage and even killings.
Earlier, the suspect confessed to the crime, telling journalists in the courtroom that his actions were “personal revenge against the Ukrainian authorities.” He denied reports that he had been blackmailed by Russian intelligence.
RFE/RL reported that during initial interrogations, the man said he had contacted Russian operatives while searching for his son, a Ukrainian soldier who went missing in action.
On Aug. 30, police reported a shooting in Lviv around noon that killed Andriy Parubiy. Journalist Vitaliy Glagola stated that the shooter, disguised as a Glovo delivery courier, hid the pistol in a bag after the attack. The assailant, wearing a black helmet, fled on an electric bicycle. The suspect was detained shortly after midnight on Sep. 1.