Video: Man takes ambulance crew hostage in Odesa
In Odesa, a man took an ambulance crew hostage after they arrived to respond to a call about his mother. He threatened the medics with “vigilante justice,” mobilisation, and being sent “to the front line.” The situation was resolved by police and a psychiatric response team, and no one was injured. The incident was reported on Facebook by the Odesa Regional Centre for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine.
The incident began when the man initially threatened emergency dispatchers by phone. He later confronted Emergency Medical Team No. 26, which had arrived at his mother’s residence, and locked them inside the apartment, effectively taking them hostage.
“The man, claiming to be a ‘serviceman,’ repeatedly threatened 103 dispatchers and later took the ambulance crew hostage after they arrived at his mother’s address,” the centre said in a statement. According to medics, he threatened the doctor and paramedic with “vigilante justice,” mobilisation, and being sent “to the front line.” His behaviour was described as aggressive and unpredictable, posing a serious risk to emergency personnel.
Police and a psychiatric team were quickly dispatched to the scene. Through joint efforts, the situation was resolved without injuries.
Following the incident, the ambulance crew received psychological support. Dispatchers and doctors also stressed the importance of a rapid response and calling for assistance in such situations. The case is now being handled by local law enforcement, which will determine further legal action regarding the man’s threats.
Separately, in Kyiv, a currency exchange office robber was detained in the Podil district.
In Poltava, the Security Service of Ukraine detained teenagers suspected of preparing to blow up a Ukrainian Armed Forces vehicle.
Earlier, the Security Service of Ukraine detained an employee of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine at the entrance to Sumy.
The Security Service of Ukraine also detained a suspected Russian agent while she was preparing a terrorist attack in central Dnipro.
