SBU Thwarts Russian FSB Plot for Assassination of Ukrainian President and High-ranking Officials.
According to the SBU, two colonels from the Department of State Guard have been exposed for state treason and complicity in terrorism.
The official statement from the SBU reads: “Counterintelligence and investigators from the SBU have foiled the FSB’s plans to eliminate the President of Ukraine and other representatives of the country’s highest military-political leadership.
The plans were to be executed through an undercover network, which was uncovered in advance by the Security Service of Ukraine with the assistance of the leadership of the State Guard Department (UDO).
The network, which was orchestrated by the FSB from Moscow, included two colonels from the UDO who leaked confidential information to Russia.”
Russia is actively developed plans to eliminate President Volodymyr Zelensky. One of the objectives of the undercover FSB network was to identify military personnel close to the president’s security detail who could take the head of state hostage and subsequently assassinate him.
In addition to Zelensky, Russians planned to eliminate the head of the SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), Kyrylo Budanov, and other high-ranking officials.
Assassination Plot Undercover Colonel: Weapons Delivery to Kyiv Uncovered by SBU
According to the investigation, the suspects, while serving in the UDO, willingly provided assistance to representatives of the FSB for financial rewards in conducting subversive activities against Ukraine. They provided confidential information to Russian agents and also prepared and concealed tools and equipment for carrying out terrorist acts.
One of the suspects received two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the FPV-drone type and two ammunition loads from representatives of the FSB’s undercover network. He was supposed to transfer these weapons to other accomplices in the criminal activity for the purpose of carrying out an explosion.
Details of the Assassination Plan
The head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Vasyl Maliuk, has revealed crucial details regarding the recent special operation aimed at exposing hostile agents.
Maliuk emphasised that only a limited circle of individuals was aware of this operation, and he personally oversaw its progress. According to him, the planned terrorist act was intended as a “gift to Putin for the inauguration.”
Particularly alarming was the revelation that the liquidation of Kyrylo Budanov, as per intelligence agency reports, was scheduled to take place before Easter.
Russia’s plan unfolded as follows: initially, a recruited agent was tasked with monitoring the movements of the target under protection and relaying information to the adversary.
Using coordinates obtained, a missile strike was planned on the official’s residence. Subsequently, a drone attack on individuals remaining at the scene of the strike was planned. Following this, the Russians intended to target the area with another missile, including to eliminate traces of drone deployment.
The target identified by the representatives of the FSB was a private residence in the Kyiv region, where a Ukrainian high-ranking official allegedly resided.
However, these intentions were timely uncovered and documented by law enforcement agencies in Ukraine. This intervention prevented the completion of the crime, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
During searches at their residences, items and documents providing evidence of criminal activity were discovered.
Both detainees have been arrested pending further investigation.
This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges facing Ukraine and the continuous efforts by Russia to destabilise the country. The SBU’s successful operation in thwarting this assassination attempt highlights the importance of robust counterintelligence measures in safeguarding the sovereignty and security of Ukraine.
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