An investigation is underway in the Netherlands into a high-profile stabbing attack that occurred on March 27, 2025 near Dam Square in central Amsterdam. The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Ukrainian citizen Roman D., a former military serviceman who left the service without permission. Five bystanders were injured in the incident.
This was reported by the Dutch broadcaster NOS, citing sources in law enforcement agencies. According to the preliminary version of the investigation, the Ukrainian deliberately committed the attack in order to get into a European prison.
According to former comrades, Roman repeatedly spoke of his desire to be imprisoned in Europe, studied the laws of different countries, and even stated that he was “planning to kill someone in Norway.” His colleagues believe that the man had been showing signs of psychological instability even before he fled abroad.
Roman D. is from the village of Sartana, Donetsk region. He has served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2019, in particular in the 503rd battalion, which participated in the battles for Vugledar and Kherson. In 2023, Roman received a traumatic brain injury as a result of a grenade explosion, after which he was transferred to an administrative position in the 15th separate regiment of the 38th brigade. According to colleagues, after the injury he became withdrawn, conflict-ridden, and even more isolated.
In the last months of his service, Roman D. announced his intention to visit his mother in the Czech Republic. However, as it turned out later, he did not make it to the Czech Republic. His mother claims that she has not communicated with her son since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The Dutch police reported that the man entered the country directly from Ukraine.
After the arrest, the attacker was found to be carrying forged documents in the names of five other Ukrainian servicemen. The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has already contacted them to clarify the circumstances.
Although Roman's origin from an occupied village has led to speculation about possible Russian interference, his former commanders are inclined to believe that the man's actions were a personal initiative and not part of a special operation. However, the Dutch prosecutor's office is not ruling out any version.
The investigation has raised suspicions under articles of attempted murder or manslaughter with a terrorist motive. The trial of the Ukrainian is due to begin in early July.
