She Bought an Ambulance and Posed as a Medic — Woman Detained: “Hostage” Scandal in Kyiv Region

Law enforcement officers detained Valentyna Moloda, who posed as a medical worker during the conflict in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, Kyiv region, and claimed that hostages were being held inside the building. The detention was confirmed by Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, in a conversation with journalists.

During the incident, the woman also claimed to own the Med-Prestige clinic. The conflict involved military personnel.

According to Budanov, the woman’s appearance at the scene may have been planned in advance. Law enforcement officers found out that several days before the clashes, she and her driver had already visited the building and reconnoitred the area.

Before the incident, Moloda had purchased an ambulance and put on a medical uniform. The head of the Office of the President said these circumstances had been documented.

While examining the detainee’s phone, law enforcement officers found photographs and correspondence with representatives of Telegram channels. These channels later actively circulated reports about the events.

Law enforcement agencies are still establishing the circumstances of the woman’s actions and her possible motives. Budanov named the following possible reasons:

• a desire to gain popularity;
• to obtain financial gain;
• other objectives, including ones directed against the state.

At the same time, the head of the Office of the President does not believe the conflict can be explained solely by the actions of possible provocateurs. In his view, the events also exposed serious social problems that require attention.

“Yes, on the one hand, there are provocateurs, but on the other hand, there is tension in society,” said Kyrylo Budanov.

We previously reported:

• DBR investigates possible abuse of authority after clashes near Kyiv
• Clashes near a house outside Kyiv where hostages are being held
• Lviv erupts in a conflict with the TCC: crowd overturns military vehicle
• Shouting and swearing instead of documents: how a woman in Odesa decided to “fight” the TCC
• Raid, tear gas and beatings: TCC forcibly held men in Vinnytsia — people took to the streets in protest