Ukraine thwarts Russian plot to assassinate Zelenskyy, officials reveal

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has apprehended five individuals suspected of acting under the directives of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia with plans to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The arrests include two colonels from the UDO, Ukraine’s security service tasked with protecting high-ranking officials.

The SBU announced via a Tuesday Telegram post that the network was directed by the FSB from Moscow and involved two UDO (State Protection Department) colonels who relayed confidential information to the Russian Federation.

The group also plotted assassination attempts on SBU head General Vasyl Malyuk, military intelligence chief HUR General Kyrylo Budanov, along with other prominent officials, as reported.

The SBU highlighted that the group's primary objective was to execute President Zelenskyy. "One of the FSB agent network's missions was to identify potential perpetrators within the military, those close to the president's security circle, capable of capturing and subsequently assassinating the head of state," was further detailed.

The statement disclosed that the planned assault on HUR head Budanov was scheduled before Easter, traditionally observed in Ukraine on the last Sunday.

The SBU uncovered that the Russian strategy involved recruiting a Ukrainian agent to gather and transmit details on the movements and locations of high-ranking officials, including the president. With this information, the Russians aimed to attack the premises with a missile.

"Subsequently, the plan was to assault any survivors at the site with a drone. Following this, another missile strike was contemplated, partly to eliminate any drone usage evidence," detailed the SBU.