Ukrainian authorities have arrested two colonels from the Ukrainian forces who were allegedly collaborating with Russians to plot the assassination of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attempt was planned under the supervision of employees of the 5th department of the FSB as a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his inauguration. The FSB had been actively developing plans to eliminate President Zelenskyy and had enlisted the help of the two colonels to carry out the operation. Zelenskyy had previously avoided five attempts on his life prior to this plot, which he described as not interesting to him.
Colonels Andrei Gun and Derkach had agreed to help set up the kidnapping of Zelenskyy with plans to later assassinate him in exchange for $50,000. The amount was teased to potentially increase to $80,000. The colonels had been spying on Zelenskyy and providing information to the FSB on the presidential guard and Zelenskyy’s movements. One of the colonels was caught as he traveled to another region to allegedly collect weapons for the operation. The conspirators had discussed using weapons such as drones, mines, RPG rockets, and anti-tank rockets to carry out the assassination as a gift to Putin.
The audio clip released by Ukrainian intelligence revealed the details of the plot, including the use of missile strikes to eliminate Zelenskyy and his security team. The FSB handlers provided instructions to the two colonels on how to carry out the attack and escape without being caught. The plan would have also targeted key Ukrainian officials, including SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk and the head of the Ukrainian Intelligence Agency GRU. Malyuk emphasized that the Russian special services had failed in their attempt, but warned that the enemy is strong and experienced and should not be underestimated.
In response to the plot, Western leaders from the United States and the European Union did not attend Putin’s 6th inauguration, held on Tuesday. The Ukrainian authorities have vowed to continue working to ensure that all traitors receive the appropriate punishment. The interception of the assassination plot highlights the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia and the lengths to which some are willing to go to destabilize the region and target Ukrainian leadership. The collaboration between Ukrainian military personnel and Russian intelligence underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.
The plot to assassinate Zelenskyy as a gift to Putin before his inauguration showcases the strategic intentions of Russian intelligence to influence the political landscape in Ukraine. The intercepted plan involved detailed preparations, including the use of weapons and coordination between the two colonels and their FSB handlers. The failed attempt underscores the ongoing security challenges facing Ukraine and the need for continued vigilance against threats from within and outside the country. The uncovering of the plot serves as a warning to other potential collaborators and highlights the importance of maintaining security measures to protect Ukraine’s leadership and institutions.
The details of the plot reveal the extent to which some individuals are willing to betray their country for personal gain or political allegiance to another state. The collaboration between the two Ukrainian colonels and Russian intelligence raises questions about loyalty and security within the Ukrainian military and government. The arrest of the colonels sends a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated and that those involved will face justice for their betrayal. The ongoing investigation into the plot and the determination of Ukrainian authorities to prevent future attempts on Zelenskyy’s life demonstrate a commitment to upholding the country’s sovereignty and protecting its leaders from external threats.
