What's happened
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the head of the state guards, Serhiy Rud, following the uncovering of a Russian plot to assassinate him and other top officials. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) revealed that two colonels from the state guard were involved in the conspiracy, which was allegedly orchestrated by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). The plot aimed to kidnap and kill Zelenskyy as a 'gift' for Russian President Vladimir Putin's inauguration. The SBU has arrested the two colonels on suspicion of treason.
What's behind the headline?
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, the SBU stated that the plot was intended as a 'gift' for Putin's inauguration. Business Insider UK highlighted the troubling involvement of senior members of Ukraine's government protection service, suggesting deep Russian intelligence penetration. The Guardian provided details on the FSB's recruitment of Ukrainian agents and their plans to kidnap and kill Zelenskyy. Sky News reported on the arrests of the two colonels and the broader network of agents working for the FSB. The New York Times noted that this was not the first assassination attempt on Zelenskyy, with the president himself acknowledging multiple plots against him.
How we got here
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been a primary target for Russian intelligence operations. The conflict has seen numerous attempts on his life, with Ukrainian security services foiling several assassination plots. The latest plot, uncovered by the SBU, involved two colonels from Ukraine's state guard who were allegedly recruited by Russia's FSB. The plot aimed to kidnap and kill Zelenskyy and other top officials, including the heads of Ukraine's military intelligence and the SBU. This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by Ukraine as it continues to resist Russian aggression.
Go deeper
- What were the specific roles of the two arrested colonels?
- How has the Ukrainian government responded to this plot?
- What measures are being taken to prevent future assassination attempts?
Common question
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