A World War II veteran wounded a man who broke into his house in Ukraine’s Nikolayev Region with a revolver made in 1916, local media reported on Tuesday.
The suspected burglar, who was hospitalized with two gunshot wounds, gave police the name and address of his alleged shooter, but the latter appeared to have an alibi.
The police continued looking for the shooter in the small village, eventually arriving at the house of the 88-year-old war veteran.
The former officer, who has lived alone for many years, claimed to have stabbed the thief with a poker, but the policemen smelled gunpowder. The old man then admitted to shooting and surrendered his old revolver.
“The revolver made in 1916 was sent for examination,” the local police said, adding that the circumstances of the suspected burglary and shooting were being investigated.
The veteran will not face strict punishment even if a criminal case is opened.
