Russian Agents Arrested in Plot to Assassinate Ukraine’s Prime Minister and Chief of Staff: President Zelensky’s Safety Enhanced Amid Ongoing Tensions with Russia
Ukrainian security officials have announced the arrest of two colonels suspected of being involved in an assassination plot against the country’s prime minister and chief of staff, among others. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated that the plot was carried out in coordination with Russian agents and that wiretapping and interrogations of suspects led to the discovery of the information that thwarted the assassination.
President Zelensky’s office has confirmed that he is aware of the reports and has increased his security in response to the threat. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there have been concerns for Zelensky’s safety, as he has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance against Russian aggression. While there have been previous reports of assassination attempts against him, this latest threat is considered significant by Ukrainian authorities.
The Kremlin has yet to respond to Ukraine’s claims that the assassination plan was orchestrated by Russian security services. There have been ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine since 2014, with Russia annexing Crimea and supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displacement of people on both sides.