Ukraine’s safety service (SBU) stated it has foiled a Russian plot to kidnap and assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and kill different high Ukrainian officers.
Two serving colonels from the Ukrainian authorities’s personal safety unit have been arrested in a troubling signal of Russian penetration of Ukraine’s safety equipment.
The SBU stated the lads had been a part of what it referred to as a “community of brokers” that had been working for the Russian safety providers.
Different supposed targets within the conspiracy included Vasyl Malyuk, the top of the SBU, and Lieutenant Normal Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine’s navy intelligence company.
The plotters had supposed to kill the navy spy chief earlier than the Orthodox Easter, which this yr fell on 5 Could, in accordance with a press release by the SBU.
Mr Malyuk stated the plot was speculated to be a “present to Putin earlier than the inauguration” however was “really a failure of the Russian secret service”.
“However we should not overlook that the enemy is powerful and skilled, and can’t be underestimated. We are going to proceed to work proactively to make sure that each traitor receives a well-deserved court docket sentence,” he stated.
Russia has beforehand been accused of a number of plots to kill Mr Zelenskyy since President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
However the newest scheme is especially notable due to the alleged involvement of two colonels within the State Guard of Ukraine, which is tasked with defending high officers.
One of many alleged brokers being detained. Pic: Telegram/SBU
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Russia’s intelligence providers recruited the lads earlier than the full-scale battle, the Ukrainian safety service stated.
It claimed that the Russian brokers had been looking for members of the Ukrainian navy near President Zelenskyy’s safety element who could be keen to take him hostage and kill him.
A broader plan concerned figuring out the placement of a senior Ukrainian official and concentrating on the positioning with a missile strike, adopted by a drone assault after which a second missile strike.
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The SBU stated the entire operation was run from Moscow and it revealed the names of three Russian intelligence officers who had been allegedly behind the plot.
The 2 Ukrainian colonels had been arrested on suspicion of treason, which carries a life sentence.
The pinnacle of the SBU stated he “personally managed” the investigation, which “steadily” constructed up proof in opposition to the 2 colonels.
The SBU stated the suspects had been a part of a community working for the FSB, Russia’s safety service, and had additionally leaked categorised info.