Four officers from the Donetsk city directorate of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's main directorate in Donetsk region have sustained severe gunshot wounds while trying to apprehend a suspected criminal in the Leninsky District of Donetsk on the night of February 3.

A criminal case has been launched over the incident under article 348 (an attempt on the life of a law enforcement officer, a member of a public order protection unit or a military service person) of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, a spokesperson for Donetsk Region al Prosecutor's Office said on Tuesday.

The region's prosecutor, Oleh S i us i ailo, has entrusted the inquiry to the investigative directorate of Donetsk Region al Prosecutor's Office. A joint investigative operations team has been set up and a priority action plan outlined. The region's prosecutor has taken charge of the pre-trial investigation.

The shooter has been identified. Police are taking steps to arrest him.