In a significant security operation, Ukraine's security service, known as the SBU, has successfully thwarted a plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The SBU announced the arrest of an unnamed woman suspected of gathering intelligence about President Zelenskiy's movements. The operation was conducted amidst concerns of a potential major air assault on the southern Mykolaiv region by Russia.
The SBU revealed that the detained woman was actively collecting information about President Zelenskiy's visit to the Mykolaiv region, an area where intelligence indicated that Russia was planning a substantial airstrike. President Zelenskiy himself acknowledged the efforts of the security service in a post on his Telegram channel, where he noted that the SBU's efforts were focused on countering traitorous actions.
This incident marks another instance of attempted harm to President Zelenskiy. Earlier this year, a drone attack on Moscow, attributed to Ukraine's military, had raised tensions, with the Kremlin alleging it was an attempt to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin. The situation has heightened concerns regarding potential reprisals and escalating hostilities.
President Zelenskiy had previously voiced his awareness of threats to his life. As early as the beginning of the war, he had stated that he was aware of President Putin's desire to see him eliminated. The SBU had also disclosed intelligence regarding a group of Russian mercenaries, allegedly from the Wagner group, who were reportedly in Kyiv with orders to execute a "decapitation strategy," aimed at killing Zelenskiy. Reports have emerged suggesting several previous assassination attempts on the Ukrainian President's life.
The SBU, vigilant in its duties, detected the latest plot ahead of time, enabling the implementation of additional security measures during President Zelenskiy's visit to the Mykolaiv region. The security agency asserted that the arrested suspect was collaborating with Russian forces to orchestrate a substantial airstrike on the region.
According to the SBU's statement, the suspect had attempted to ascertain the timing and locations of President Zelenskiy's movements within the Mykolaiv region. However, the security agents managed to gather critical information about the suspect's subversive activities and subsequently fortified security measures to safeguard the President.
The SBU unveiled a blurred image of the apprehended suspect, who was detained by masked officers in a kitchen setting. Alongside the image, the agency released phone messages and handwritten notes, indicative of the suspect's involvement in espionage activities. The suspect was reportedly seeking details about the locations of electronic warfare systems and ammunition warehouses, indicating a broader network of potential threats.
The SBU's ongoing investigation includes efforts to unveil the identity of the suspect's Russian handlers and the extent of her assignments. The woman was apprehended while attempting to transfer intelligence data to Russian secret services, demonstrating the SBU's successful counterintelligence measures.
The detained woman is reported to reside in the small southern town of Ochakiv, situated within the Mykolaiv region. Her previous employment at a military base store raised concerns about her potential access to sensitive information. Allegations suggest that she had engaged in activities such as photographing locations and seeking information from personal contacts within the region.
The suspect may face serious charges, including the unauthorized dissemination of information pertaining to the movements of weapons and troops. If convicted, she could potentially face a prison sentence of up to 12 years, highlighting the gravity of the threat she posed to national security.