The Russian plan to kill V. Zelenskyi, K. Budanov and V. Maliuk was foiled

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Kyiv says that Russia has targeted the Ukrainian leader more than once, including at the very beginning of the full-scale war in February 2022.

A press release published on the service’s website states that these plans were to be carried out by a network of agents uncovered by SBU counterintelligence and investigators with the help of the leadership of the Department of State Security.

The network, which was overseen from Moscow by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), included two State Security Department colonels who leaked classified information to the Russians.

“The enemy was actively making plans to remove President Volodymyr Zelensky. One of the tasks of the network of FSB agents was to find military personnel close to the protection of the president, who could take the head of state hostage and then kill him,” the report states.

In addition, according to the report, it was planned to kill SBU head Vasylis Maliukas, head of military intelligence Kyrylas Budanovas and other high-ranking officials.

K. Budanov was planned to be killed before Easter, which was celebrated by the Orthodox last weekend, according to the report.

“The enemy’s plan was as follows: first, the recruited agent was to monitor the movement of the protected person and pass the information to the enemy. The coordinates of the house where the officer was supposed to be were to be used for the missile strike. The drone was then intended to attack people who remained at the scene of the attack. After that, the Russians planned to strike with another missile, as well as destroy the traces of the drone,” the report said.

“Only a few people knew about our special operation, and I personally controlled its progress. The terrorist attack, which was supposed to be a gift for Putin’s inauguration, was actually a failure of the Russian secret services. But we must not forget that the enemy is strong and experienced and cannot be underestimated. We will continue to actively work so that every traitor receives the well-deserved court verdict,” said SBU head V. Maliukas.

Two suspects were searched, during which ammunition and other evidence of criminal activity were found and seized.

They were charged with treason during martial law and preparing for a terrorist attack.

The suspects were arrested and face life imprisonment.

Prosecutors in Poland and Ukraine announced last month that they had arrested a man suspected of involvement in a Russian plot to kill Zelensky.

Last August, the SBU reported that a woman who tried to reveal information about his movements near Kyiv was detained in connection with a plot to kill the leader of Ukraine.

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