Former Ukrainian deputy Kywa assassinated in Moscow amidst war tensions

The former Deputy of the Supreme Council of Ukraine, Illia Kywa, who was killed on Wednesday near Moscow, was taken down by the Security Service of Ukraine - Ukrainian media report, citing sources from law enforcement agencies. Ukrainian Military Intelligence representatives have also confirmed this fact.

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"The Security Service of Ukraine is responsible for the elimination of the former deputy. The perpetrator was brought down with a handgun," writes the Ukrainska Pravda portal. The Interfax-Ukraine agency made a similar statement.

Prior to this, Russian media had reported that Kywa's body was discovered in a town within the Moscow region.

Ilia Kywa was formerly employed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and served as an advisor to the previous department head, Arsen Avakov. From 2017 to 2019, he chaired the Socialist Party of Ukraine, and up until 2022, he served as a deputy of the pro-Russian party, Opposition Platform - For Life.

In March 2022, Kywa became a suspect in a state treason investigation. He was then arrested in absentia, and an international warrant was issued for his arrest.