According to an announcement by Ukrainian security officials, two colonels have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in an assassination plot targeting Ukrainian Prime Minister and chief of staff among others. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated that the network behind the plot was working in coordination with Russian agents.
Ukrainian security officials reported that the information leading to the thwarting of the assassination plot was gathered through wiretapping and interrogations of suspects. President Zelensky’s office confirmed that he is aware of the reports and has increased his security in response to the threat.
Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, concerns for President Zelensky’s safety have been growing as he has become the face of Ukrainian resistance. While there have been previous reports of assassination attempts against him, this latest threat is considered the most significant by Ukrainian authorities. The Kremlin has yet to respond to Ukraine’s claims that Russian security services were behind the assassination plan.