Driver ran over a serviceman and tried to flee: the soldier opened fire

In Izmail Raion of Odesa Oblast a serviceman opened fire on a Mazda car after the driver allegedly ignored an order to stop, struck the sentry and tried to flee. As a result of the shooting the 36-year-old driver sustained a grazing gunshot wound to the neck.

The incident occurred on July 1, 2026 in the village of Loshchynivka of the Safyanivska community. On July 2 the outlet “Bessarabia INFORM” reported this, citing its own sources. According to preliminary information, the 36-year-old driver of the Mazda did not comply with the order of the 50-year-old serviceman to stop for inspection. The soldier tried to block the car’s path, but the driver continued driving, knocked down the serviceman and dragged him along the hood for some distance. After that the driver tried to leave the scene.

According to the outlet, the serviceman used an automatic weapon. Preliminary reports say he first fired one warning shot into the air, and then four more toward the vehicle. One of the bullets pierced the rear window and wounded the driver. The car’s wheel was also damaged. The 36-year-old resident of the village of Ostrivne of the Katlabuzka community received a grazing gunshot wound to the neck. He was taken in moderate condition to Izmail City Hospital and operated on. The 50-year-old serviceman sought medical help for an injury to the knee joint of his left leg. After receiving treatment he was released for outpatient care.

According to journalists, earlier that same day the driver had been stopped by police in the village of Ostrivne. Officers allegedly found signs of alcohol intoxication, but the man refused to undergo an inspection at the scene and at a medical facility. It was also revealed that the vehicle was wanted at the request of a private bailiff. According to the outlet, administrative documents were drawn up against the driver under Articles 130, 126 and 121-3 of the Code of Ukraine on administrative offenses.

The circumstances of the serviceman’s use of weapons are to be examined within proceedings under Part 1 of Article 421 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — exceeding authority or official powers by a military service person.

According to the local outlet, the investigation is to be conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation. At the time of publication there were no official comments from law enforcement regarding the incident.

Earlier we wrote:

• After the video showing shooting at a car the TCC said: it was not their serviceman
• In Kyiv a drunk, unlicensed driver knocked down a patrol officer — police opened fire
• Bloody “defense” against mobilization in Mykolaiv: police officer and serviceman stabbed in the abdomen
• A TCC serviceman was slashed: attackers may face life imprisonment
• In Kharkiv a man with a knife attacked TCC servicemen: one was killed