The Russian suspect were allegedly trying to help Russia guide rocket strikes to kill high-ranking Ukrainian officials
UKRAINE’S spy agency says it thwarted a Russian assassination plot to “kidnap and kill” President Zelensky after Putin’s spooks allegedly tried to infiltrate his bodyguards.
The SBU exposed a network of agents who it claims were preparing to “eliminate” the Ukrainian leader as well as other senior political and military figures.
In a “inauguration gift to Vladimir Putin”, Ukraine announced it had detained two colonels seeking to “assassinate Volodymyr Zelensky”.
In a statement posted to Telegram, the SBU wrote: “The network, whose activities were supervised by the FSB from Moscow, included two colonels… who “leaked” secret information of the Russian Federation.”
The suspects – from the Administration of State Security of Ukraine (UDO) – are suspected of treason.
They face life imprisonment if convicted.
The UDO is charged with providing security to state officials.
The colonels allegedly planned to use FPV drones, charges for RPG-7 portable, reusable, unguided, shoulder-launched, anti-tank rocket launchers and MON-90 anti-personnel mines.
They aimed to find a spy among Zelensky’s close presidential guard, said the SBU.
“The recruited agent was supposed to observe movements and transmit information.”
They then allegedly planned to launch a missile strike at a Zelensky’s safe house and follow this with kamikaze drone hits.
“After this, it was allegedly planned to launch another missile, including to destroy traces of the drone’s use.”
One of the colonels was allegedly caught travelling to another region of Ukraine to collect drones and explosives.
And he was heard talking to his FSB ‘curator’.
The SBU also revealed the Russian spies were planning to “liquidate” the head of the SBU, Vasyl Malyuk, and the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence wing (GUR), Kyrylo Budanov, along with other high-ranking officials.
According to Ukraine’s spy agency, part of the foiled plot – including the planned kidnapping of Budanov – was supposed to happen before Russian Orthodox Easter on May 5.
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/11301413/ukraine-foils-assassination-zelensky-putin-spies/