The National Police of Kyiv Oblast have denied reports that armed men took dozens of hostages in the village of Petropavlivska Borshchahivka.
Law enforcement officials dismissed claims that any citizens were being unlawfully detained or that a hostage had died, stating that the circulating accounts did not correspond to reality.
The regional police department issued the statement on its official Telegram channel on November 2 following reports that an armed group had seized people inside a building outside Kyiv.
Police urged members of the public to rely exclusively on official sources of information and called on residents to refrain from circulating unverified messages across social networks.
Reports had emerged earlier on November 2 alleging that armed men had taken about 40 hostages inside a local property in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka. Those claims were accompanied by unconfirmed reports that one of the hostages had been killed.
Following the initial reports, video footage circulated online showing crowd control foam and tear gas being deployed against onlookers and witnesses who had gathered outside the building.
Military commanders dispatched to scene
Prior to the official denial, the deputy head of the Kyiv Oblast police, who was present at the scene of the incident, reported that military commanders had been dispatched to the building where dozens of hostages were allegedly being held.
Petropavlivska Borshchahivka is a suburban village situated directly west of Kyiv, bordering the outer ring road of the Ukrainian capital. The settlement forms part of the Bucha district within Kyiv Oblast, where expanding residential neighborhoods meet commercial developments and major transport links.
The National Police of Kyiv Oblast serves as the primary regional civilian policing agency, responsible for public safety, criminal investigations, and emergency response across the territories that encircle the capital. Ukrainian authorities frequently use the messaging platform Telegram to communicate urgent official updates, alert residents to developing security situations, and address public concern.
Police officials reiterated that citizens must avoid amplifying unverified claims about the incident, emphasizing that verified information regarding security matters will only be delivered through official government statements.
