Police officer and two cadets from the National Academy of Internal Affairs saved a 22-year-old: quick response at Popovych averted a fatal step
On Popovych Street, a 22-year-old man threatened to jump from a balcony after an argument — the swift actions of Sergeant Andriy Nechyporenko and cadets Nikita Dudnyk and Bohdan Levchenko saved his life. We examine why this is more than an isolated incident.
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
February 21, 2026 · 2 min read
Swift response on Popovycha: a life saved
In Kyiv, a police officer together with two cadets from the National Academy of Internal Affairs prevented an attempted suicide by a 22‑year‑old man who, after an argument with his girlfriend, threatened to jump from a seventh‑floor balcony. The incident was reported by the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv via UNN.
"Thanks to professional actions, the police were able to find the right words, calm the young man and persuade him not to take the fatal step"
— Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv (press service statement)
What happened
While on duty at the State Emergency Service warming point on Popovycha Street, Sergeant Andriy Nechyporenko and cadets Nikita Dudnyk and Bohdan Levchenko were approached by a man asking for help: his neighbor, after a quarrel with his girlfriend, was threatening to jump from a balcony.
The officers went up to the apartment and found a 22‑year‑old man in an agitated emotional state — he was on the balcony and refused to go inside. Negotiations lasted several minutes; thanks to the choice of words and a calm approach, the young man was persuaded to return. Afterwards he was provided with necessary medical assistance.
Why this matters
This story is important not only as a single life saved. It demonstrates several key points for city safety and trust in services:
- Training pays off. Cadets of the National Academy of Internal Affairs and the sergeant acted in line with crisis negotiation practices — an example of how training translates into real lives.
- Cooperation between services and accessible aid points works. It was at the warming point where initial coordination took place, which reduced response time.
- Early intervention can prevent tragedies. A tip from a neighbor and a quick response by law enforcement is a typical scenario where public vigilance and professionalism save lives.
What next
After the incident, the injured party was given medical care. This also serves as a reminder of the need to develop municipal psychological support services and to improve negotiation skills among the services that first make contact with people in crisis.
In short: the police and cadet training once again proved their practical value — a life saved is an argument in favor of investing in training and accessible aid services. Whether this is sufficient in the city is a question for the next steps of local authorities and civic initiatives.
