SBU exposes network of Russian FSB agents preparing assassination of Ukrainian president

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) reports.

The plans were to be implemented by an agent network supervised by the FSB from Moscow, which included two colonels of the State Security Administration who leaked classified information to the Russian Federation. The network was exposed in advance.

Photo: t.me/SBUkr

In particular, plans were being actively developed to eliminate President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. One of the tasks of the FSB's agent network was to find perpetrators among the military, close to the head of state's security, who could take Zelenskyy hostage and then kill him.

In addition to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia planned to eliminate SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk, intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, and other high-ranking officials.

For example, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, was going to be liquidated before Easter.

Russia's plan was as follows: first, the recruited agent was to observe Budanov's movements under guard and pass information to the enemy. The coordinates of the house where the official was supposed to be were to be used to launch a missile strike. Then they were going to attack the people who remained at the site of the attack with a drone. After that, the Russians planned to hit with another missile, including to destroy the traces of the drone.

Photo: t.me/SBUkr

"The agent was provided with weapons by a colonel of the State Security Administration, who personally brought FPV drones, charges for RPG-7, and MON-90 anti-personnel mines to Kyiv. The SBU recorded both the colonel's trips to another region of Ukraine to get drones and explosives and conversations between the potential terrorist attacker and his FSB supervisor," the SBU said.

Photo: t.me/SBUkr

Ukraine's Security Service documented the criminal actions of the defendants in stages and detained them.

"Only a limited number of people knew about our special operation, and I personally controlled its course. The terrorist attack, which was supposed to be a gift to Putin for his inauguration, was in fact a failure of the Russian secret service. But we must not forget: the enemy is strong and experienced, and we must not underestimate it. We will continue to work proactively to ensure that every traitor receives a well-deserved court sentence," said SBU Head Vasyl Maliuk.

The Russian Federal Security Service has once again confirmed the status of a terrorist organization, as it was the officers of the 9th Directorate of the Operational Information Department of the 5th Service who supervised the organization of the terrorist attack. These are:

• Maxim Mishustin
• Dmitry Perlin
• Alexey Kornev.

In particular, in January 2022, Perlin became the curator of the "moles" who were recruited before Russia's full-scale invasion. Until then, they had been supervised by his colleague Alexey Kornev.

Photo: t.me/SBUkr

"Before the start of the full-scale war, Kornev held a series of secret meetings with the colonel of the State Security Administration in neighboring European countries. Funds for the agents were also usually transferred abroad," the statement said. 

Searches were conducted at the offenders' places of residence, during which relevant munitions and other evidence of criminal activity were found and seized.

Photo: t.me/SBUkr

They have now been notified of suspicion under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• p. 2, Art. 111 (high treason committed under martial law);
• p. 1, Art. 14, p.2 Art. 258 (preparation for a terrorist act).

The suspects have been detained as a measure of restraint. The defendants face life imprisonment.

• On April 19, it was reported that law enforcement agencies in Ukraine and Poland detained a Pole on suspicion of collaborating with Russian special services and preparing an assassination attempt on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.