Activist and well-known volunteer Serhiy Sternenko described in detail the tragic event that occurred in Ukraine on May 1 — an attack that could have cost him his life
According to Sternenko himself, during the attack he was under protection both from government officials and private security guards, and this alarming incident once again underscored the importance of enhanced security for someone who comes under fire from unknown criminals. According to his testimony, during the attack he was in an armored vehicle — the same car he rents, which has repeatedly saved his life. At the moment the shooter opened fire, Sternenko was accompanied by his personal bodyguard and a member of the state security service, who saved him from more serious consequences. It was this security officer who became a hero of the story because, at the moment of the attack, he managed not only to disarm and apprehend the attacker with a rifle and pistol but also to physically subdue her. He knocked the weapon out of the assailant’s hands, which ultimately saved Sternenko’s life. According to the activist, the attacker fired at least three shots. One bullet pierced his body armor and hit his right thigh, but it did not hit vital arteries or bones; it only slightly wounded muscles and soft tissues — meaning, as Sternenko himself states, these were essentially superficial injuries, with two holes in his jeans. At the same time, one of the bullets went through the vehicle, piercing two tires, and another lodged in the driver’s door. After receiving a gunshot wound, Sternenko reacted quickly and instructed the driver to take him to the nearest hospital. At that moment, he also bandaged his bleeding with a tourniquet. He explains that at the time of the attack, the wound was in his right thigh — the bullets fired did not hit vital vessels or bones, so the risk to his life was minimal. Regarding the attacker, she fired at least three shots from a small-caliber weapon — one of the bullets hit the security guard’s jacket, but he remained unharmed. In the vehicle, the attacker hit two tires and left a bullet lodged in the driver’s door — this confirms that the attack was from a good distance and involved firearm use. Overall, Sternenko emphasizes that his income allows him to rent or even purchase an armored vehicle under favorable conditions, but he intends to continue using similar protection in the future, considering it necessary, especially given the political situation and potential orders for his murder. The activist is convinced that Russian special services are behind this attack, and suspects that the attacker, who told several hours earlier about her involvement in the crime, was recruited by them. He states that initially, the woman confessed that her motives for committing the crime were set up by Russian intelligence — her task was to kill Sternenko. Subsequently, she told the court that they were instructed by “SBU officers” and that she was promised a kidney transplant in exchange for her criminal actions. Sternenko believes she was aware of who was truly behind the attack and that this incident is part of a broader Russian special operation. He also emphasizes that the attack was timed precisely to coincide with significant dates in Ukrainian history — particularly the anniversary of the May 2, 2014 events in Odessa — to create another symbol of revenge and intimidation. The background of the incident is as follows: on May 1, Sternenko stated that he saw the shots and felt the first impact — injuries appeared, and law enforcement confirmed that firearms were intentionally aimed at him. The Security Service of Ukraine announced the detention of the attacker and released her photo with a pistol, confirming that she was recruited by Russia. Surveillance footage of the assassination attempt, available to media sources, shows the moment of the attack as well as law enforcement’s response and their assessment of the motives. This is not the first attack on Sternenko; all signs point to a purposeful assassination attempt organized by external enemies of Ukraine. The activist firmly believes that such provocations and intimidation efforts are how Russia tries to sow chaos and undermine security in Ukraine. The fact that the crime was concealed and carried out with high-caliber weaponry confirms that organized and well-trained intelligence agencies are behind it, aiming to eliminate patriotic movements and activists like Sternenko. Following the incident, Sternenko has already stated that he will continue fighting for his safety and for Ukraine’s protection from internal and external threats seeking to sow discord and intimidate those advocating for independence and democracy.