The criminals who attacked the police, who were hiding in the territory of Odesa region - two military men, father and his son, 52 and 26 years old, natives of Vinnytsia region - were detained with the force support of the special forces of the Rapid Operational Response Unit, the National Police reported on Sunday afternoon.

A policeman who died in the line of duty, protecting a partner who was attacked first, managed to fire shots and injure the criminals, the Telegram says.

The circumstances of the incident and the motives of the crime are being established.

Upon the attack, investigators began criminal proceedings under Article 348 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - murder or attempted murder of a law enforcement officer in connection with the performance of official duties by this employee. The sanction of the article provides for up to life imprisonment.

Procedural guidance in the pretrial investigation is provided by Vinnytsia specialized prosecutor's office in the field of defense of the southern region.

At about 2 a.m. on April 20, in Haisynsky district of Vinnytsia region, police officers stopped a car with two men in it for inspection.

The lawbreakers opened fire on the police. A 20-year-old law enforcement officer died from his injuries, and his partner was injured. The report of the crime was received by the police from the wounded inspector of the response sector of the patrol police of the police department No. 1 of Haisynska district administration. The entire police personnel of Vinnytsia region and neighboring regions were focused on detaining the criminals, and a special police operation was introduced.