The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported that it foiled an assassination attempt against President Volodymyr Zelensky. Following investigations, the SBU said exactly who hatched the plan.
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) announced that it foiled a plot organized by Russia.
It targeted the assassination of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The arrests were made on the day Russian President Vladimir Putin began his fifth term in the Kremlin.
Two Ukrainian colonists were arrested
According to the SBU, the plot was aimed not only at Zelensky, but also at the liquidation of other high-ranking Ukrainian officials. Two colonels from the Ukrainian government protection unit were arrested. They are suspected of being part of a network of agents of the Russian Security Service, FSB.
According to the information provided by the SBU, the suspects allegedly tried to recruit volunteer “executors” from the ranks of Zelenski’s bodyguards. They had the mission to take him hostage and kill him later, the BBC claims.
Russia’s plans were thwarted by the Security Service of Ukraine
Representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine said that counterintelligence and investigative teams of the SBU succeeded in thwarting plans by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) to remove the President of Ukraine and other high-ranking officials from the political and military leadership of the state. These plans were to be implemented by a network of agents.
“Counterintelligence and SBU investigators foiled the plans of the FSB (Federal Security Service of Russia) to eliminate the President of Ukraine and other representatives of the highest political-military leadership of the state. The plans were to be implemented by an intelligence network, which was previously exposed by the Security Service of Ukraine with the help of the leadership of the State Security Administration,” the secret service representatives said.
Zelensky’s murder was being sought
The SBU stated that one of the tasks of the FSB’s intelligence network was to find military personnel who are close to the president’s security. It was intended that Zelensky be taken hostage. Then they wanted him killed.
In addition to Volodymyr Zelensky, other high-ranking people were also targeted. The list included the head of the SBU, Vasili Maliuk, and the head of the Military Intelligence Agency of Ukraine (HUR), Kirill Budanov.
Ukrainian authorities also have information that the suspects passed confidential information to representatives of the Russian intelligence service and prepared and concealed means and tools for committing a terrorist act. One of the suspects received two drones and ammunition for them from representatives of the FSB intelligence network, which he was going to pass on to other accomplices to trigger the explosion.
Tags: Assassination attempt Zelenski
