Ukraine Thwarts Russian Plot to Assassinate President Zelenskyy
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has apprehended five individuals for collaborating with the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia in a scheme to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Among the detainees are two UDO colonels, members of the Ukrainian security service responsible for protecting high-ranking officials.
8:11 AM EDT, May 7, 2024
The SBU announced on Telegram on Tuesday that the FSB-directed network included two State Protection Department (UDO) colonels who relayed confidential information to the Russian Federation.
The group also conceived assassination attempts on SBU chief General Vasyl Malyuk, military intelligence chief HUR General Kyrylo Budanov, and other senior officials.
The SBU highlighted that the primary target of the operation was Zelenskyy. "A key mission for the FSB's agents was to identify military personnel close to the president's security detail, who could abduct and subsequently murder the head of state," they elaborated.
The statement added that an assault on HUR head Budanov was scheduled before Easter, traditionally observed in Ukraine on the last Sunday.
Russians aimed to launch a missile at a targeted building
Per the SBU, the Russian plan involved a Ukrainian recruit gathering and transmitting details about the whereabouts of high-ranking officials, including the president. With this information, the Russians intended to launch a missile at the building where they were located.
"The strategy also included using a drone to attack survivors at the site, followed by another missile strike aimed at eradicating evidence of the drone's use," the SBU communicated.
