Parubiy Murder Trial: Suspect Describes Assassination Prep and Russia Escape Plan

At a hearing at the Frankivsky District Court of Lviv on Thursday, Mykhailo Scelnikov, accused of murdering former Verkhovna Rada Speaker Andriy Parubiy, testified about how he planned the assassination and prepared to escape to Russia afterward.

During testimony, Parubiy's widow Ulyana asked Scelnikov whether anyone had passed him information about where Parubiy lived. The accused denied this, stating he already knew Parubiy resided in a new building on Yefremova Street.

Scelnikov described retrieving a Makarov pistol and two magazines from a cache hidden in a forest before the killing. He fired the entire first magazine — eight rounds — during the attack, and buried approximately six remaining bullets along with other ammunition in the forest.

The accused passed a letter to media representatives expressing his desire to be exchanged to Russia. Defense lawyers argued the case had strong political dimensions and attempted to close the proceedings, citing state secrets and military unit locations. Prosecutors successfully argued for an open hearing.