Death of Kryvyi Rih Mayor Pavlov: Police Versions, Surveillance Footage and Zelensky's Reaction

Investigative actions are continuing.

On August 15, the body of Kryvyi Rih mayor Kostiantyn Pavlov was found dead in the village of Volne in Dnipropetrovsk region. We tell you everything known so far about the incident: police versions, causes of death and the investigation. 

Who found Pavlov's body and how

On Sunday, Kostiantyn Pavlov's body was discovered by his security guard on the doorstep of the mayor's house in the village of Volne in Dnipropetrovsk region. A rifle was lying near the body. People's Deputy from the Opposition Bloc Vadim Rabinovich published photos from the scene. According to him, Pavlov was killed. 

Vadim Rabinovich
People's Deputy from the Opposition Bloc

Today one of the leaders of our party (Opposition Bloc — ed.) was killed on the doorstep of his home. As co-chairman of the party Pavlov belonged to, I demand that law enforcement agencies create a group that will tell us in the coming days who killed Kostiantyn Pavlov. 

Police arrived at the scene and cordoned off the house; no one was allowed into the adjacent territory. 

Zelensky's reaction and police versions

President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would personally monitor the progress of the case of Pavlov's death. On August 16 he is due to hear a report from heads of law enforcement agencies on the first results of the investigation. 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

Criminal proceedings have been opened without delay. The head of the police in Dnipropetrovsk region, investigative and operational teams and all necessary specialists are at the scene. We will have concrete and verified information after expert examinations and the first steps of the investigation. I will keep this case under personal control and insist on regular reports from law enforcement to the Kryvyi Rih community. Sincere condolences to the relatives and loved ones of Kostiantyn Pavlov. 

Initially, the Interior Ministry considered three versions of the death of the Kryvyi Rih mayor. 

Artem Shevchenko
Director of Communications, Interior Ministry

The number of options is limited: it is either murder, suicide, or careless handling of a weapon. It happens. 

According to him, investigative actions must be carried out to understand the cause of the incident. In addition, a weapons examination must be conducted. A forensic medical examination will quickly establish the cause of Pavlov's death as well as the nature of the wound. 

Surveillance camera footage

Anatolii Shchadilo, head of the National Police main department in Dnipropetrovsk region, said at a briefing on August 16 that investigators are analyzing surveillance camera footage from the site of the Kryvyi Rih mayor's death. 

Anatolii Shchadilo
head of the National Police main department in Dnipropetrovsk region

Pavlov's body with signs of a gunshot wound was found in his country house. A detailed inspection of the scene was carried out, and surveillance camera footage was analyzed. Today we are considering three versions: murder, suicide, and careless handling of a weapon. 

According to him, there are no other people in the video, and a detailed analysis is underway. Video surveillance was conducted of both the adjacent territory and the interior. Shchadilo noted that it is still unknown whether Pavlov had received threats.

Pavlov died approximately between 6 and 7 a.m. on August 15. He is the owner of hunting and traumatic weapons. The examination of the body revealed one gunshot wound from a hunting weapon, a carbine. 

The seized weapon has been sent for examination. The investigation does not rule out the version of driving to suicide and is studying the deceased's phone. Investigators are also working with Pavlov's wife, who was at the sea at the time of his death. 

Shchadilo declined to comment on the video from surveillance cameras that circulated on social media. It shows him walking around the room with a carbine in his hands, smoking and texting someone. Judging by these frames, the deceased was alone in the house.