Image courtesy, Telegram/SBU
image captionUkrainian authorities say they have arrested two Ukrainian officials who were working with Russian security services
9 hours ago
James Waterhouse (Keew), Laura Gozzi, BBC News
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on the 7th that it had foiled a Russian assassination plot targeting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and several senior officials.
According to the SBU, two colonels from the National Guard Service were arrested in connection with the incident. He is said to have been part of a network of agents of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
The two were reportedly looking for someone from among Zelenskiy’s bodyguards to play the role of the “perpetrator” of Zelensky’s kidnapping and murder.
It is said that there have been numerous assassination plans since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and immediately sent paratroopers to Kiev in an attempt to assassinate Zelenskiy.
Mr. Zelenskiy described himself as Russia’s “number one target” when the invasion began.
However, this plan is very different from the others. This is because active duty colonels and others who protect public officials and organizations are said to have been hired as spies.
In addition to Zelenskiy, the SBU said the plot also targeted Kirillo Budanov, head of the Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, and SBU head Vasyl Maliuk.
As for Mr. Budanov, there was also a plot by the same group to kill him before the Orthodox Easter holiday (May 5th this year). Those involved in the plan reportedly received information about Budanov’s whereabouts from spies and planned to attack him with rockets, drones and anti-tank grenades. One of the arrested officials said he had purchased a drone and anti-personnel mines.
Image courtesy, Telegram/SBU
image captionWeapons, including anti-tank grenades, were found at a party linked to the assassination plot, the SBU said
SBU chief Maliuk said the attack was supposed to be “a gift to Putin ahead of his presidential inauguration.” Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the inauguration ceremony for his fifth term at the Kremlin (Russian presidential palace) on the 7th.
Maliuk explained that the operation ended in failure for Russian special forces. “But remember,” he said, “the enemy is strong, experienced, and cannot be underestimated.”
The two arrested SBU colonels are being held on suspicion of treason and preparing terrorist acts.
According to the SBU, three FSB employees supervised the organization and the attack.
One of them, Dmytro Perlin, is said to have been recruiting “moles” within the Ukrainian government even before Russia invaded Ukraine in earnest.
Another FSB official, Oleksiy Kornev, said he had a meeting with one of the arrested Ukrainian colonels “in a neighboring European country” before the full-scale invasion “regarding collusion.”
A released interview with one of the suspects shows the suspects described receiving thousands of dollars in packages, either directly or indirectly through relatives. It is unclear whether the suspect spoke under duress.
Investigators say they continued to monitor those involved in the assassination plot. It is unclear how close the plan was to implementation.
In times of war, President Zelenskiy faces constant risks.
At the end of last week, Zelenskyy was placed on Russia’s interior ministry’s wanted list on unspecified charges.