Award “For merits to Transcarpathia” for neutralizing an armed criminal

Today, December 1, the head of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration Hennadiy Moskal, in the fireplace room of the RSA, solemnly presented the award "For merits to Transcarpathia" to the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Investigation Sector of Rakhiv Police Eduard Kapchuk and detective of Rakhiv Police Ivan Mykytyuk. The reason for the award was the courage of the police officers during the detention of a dangerous armed criminal.

Major Eduard Kapchuk has been in law enforcement for 14 years. In conversation with us, he recalled the events of that day, November 22. "The police was reported that a resident of the village of Vydrychka was walking around the village with weapons, intimidating citizens. The investigative team arrived there.

We saw the man when he was going into a house with a Kalashnikov. I got out of the car and headed towards him as we know each other. However, he pointed the gun at me – the major recalls. – I realized that there is no other way out, turned him away, he began to shoot. I threw him to the ground, disarmed, then the guys helped." After that, he was taken to the police department.

Since the detainee was drunk (which was confirmed by doctors), he could not explain the reasons for shooting.

It is known now that the court sentenced the 53-year-old offender to 3 years probation, Mr Kapchuk says.  

The criminal proceeding was opened under Art. 348 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (attempt on the life of a law enforcement officer).

During the shooting, his subordinate, officer Ivan Mykytyuk was wounded. He holds the rank of lieutenant, has been working in law enforcement for 2.5 years. Two bullets completely crushed Ivan’s hand, who has already had two surgeries. One in Rakhiv District Hospital, the other one in the Regional Hospital in Uzhgorod. Now, he is being prepared for the third surgery. "It will be a difficult one. They are going to transplant a bone from the hip to the hand.

It’s too early to predict anything," – he says. Lieutenant must recover quickly, because he is also a player of the football sports club "Hoverla" (Yasinya).

As for the award "For merits to Transcarpathia", it was founded by Hennadiy Moskal in October this year to honor citizens for significant contributions to the development of Transcarpathia, proactive stance, professionalism, personal courage and more. Seven Transcarpathians have already received the award.