Two Ukrainian Security Officials Detained Over Zelensky Assassination Plot

 

Two Ukrainian Security Officials Detained Over Zelensky Assassination Plot

Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) has detained two high-ranking security officials for allegedly planning to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two colonels, who worked in the government protection unit, are accused of leaking classified information to Russia's state security service (FSB) and plotting to kill the President.

According to the SBU, the officials were part of an FSB agent network that aimed to find individuals within the military who could take Zelensky hostage and ultimately kill him. The plot also targeted other senior Ukrainian officials, including the head of the SBU and the head of Defence Intelligence.

This is not the first attempt on Zelensky's life since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In August 2023, a woman from Mykolaiv was arrested for gathering intelligence on Zelensky's planned visit to the region, with the intention of planning a Russian airstrike to kill him. In April, a Polish man was charged with assisting another alleged Russian assassination plot against Zelensky, involving providing information on security at Rzeszów-Jasionka airport, which Zelensky uses when traveling abroad.

Zelensky has had several close calls during his visits to the front lines and cities under Russian bombardment. In March, a Russian missile exploded near a convoy carrying Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Odesa, killing five people, although neither leader was injured.

The SBU has stated that it has "foiled" the assassination plans and exposed the FSB agent network. The detention of the two officials is a significant development in Ukraine's efforts to counter Russian aggression and protect its leaders.

The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has seen numerous attempts on Zelensky's life, highlighting the extreme risks he faces as a leader in a war-torn country. The SBU's swift action in detaining the officials and uncovering the plot demonstrates Ukraine's commitment to protecting its president and national security.