Sternenko attack could have multiple motives, beyond Russian involvement — ex-Interior Ministry Adviser

He shared his opinions on Espreso TV.

"First point. Let's analyze everything that has appeared in the public domain so far. A person was detained and an object similar to a gun was found on his person. Whether it is a gun, what caliber it is, or whether it was fired - these questions must be answered by forensics. Yet we see a photo where the detained person is still holding their bag. That, to put it mildly, doesn’t align with how such an operation should have played out.

Second point. One version suggests this person was hired by Russian intelligence and received funds from them in a Ukrainian bank account, which were later withdrawn in cash and possibly used to prepare the crime. I have a question here: can funds from Russian special services be safely and freely transferred to bank accounts in Ukraine in the fourth year of a full-scale war? Our legislation clearly provides for preventing terrorism financing and illegal activity. So this version sounds a bit far-fetched. I’m not saying it’s impossible — perhaps the money moved through intermediaries. But I’m speaking based on the information that has already been made public.

Third point. It’s clear that this person is not a professional killer. Yet she somehow obtained a gun — and that’s not something you buy at a market. This suggests there may be other individuals involved in planning the crime. She knew where Sternenko lived and rented an apartment weeks in advance. She had to get that information from somewhere, and likely conducted surveillance on the target. The scene we saw yesterday doesn’t answer key questions," Martynenko noted.

According to the former adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister, if Russian intelligence is really resorting to using amateurs to carry out high-profile crimes in Ukraine — wiring them money to their bank cards, housing them next door to monitor the target, and then having them caught on camera at the entrance — it all seems, at the very least, illogical.

“In addition, we do not know what motivated this woman. But if she had watched Sternenko at least a little bit, she must have realized that he does not move alone, that he has a bodyguard. And this security could be armed and act preemptively when they see a threat. So, she risked being killed herself as the attacker. She brazenly pulled out her weapon when a person with a bodyguard passed by, and she had nowhere to run.

If there’s credible information that someone is planning an attack on you, it’s unlikely you’d leave home without any security measures, and your guards wouldn’t behave like casual acquaintances, ignoring perimeter checks,” Martynenko believes.

The lawyer also added that there are more versions of the attack on Sternenko than just a Russian trace.

“I believe that the involvement of both this individual and Sternenko in the Odesa region could be a separate line of inquiry. There may have been personal disputes, conflicts at any level, regarding fundraising, spending, etc. Investigators should consider all possible angles. But so far, I haven’t seen a single official statement indicating which investigative body is handling this case. The public needs that information — a clear answer. The lack of answers creates doubt,” Martynenko emphasized.

• Activist and volunteer Serhiy Sternenko reported that he was attacked, resulting in injuries. Ukraine's Security Service has detained the attacker. She lived in the same apartment block and received money from the Russian special services.