Counterintelligence officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in a joint operation with the National Police, have successfully thwarted a contract killing of a Major General of the Defense Forces, a recognized Hero of Ukraine. The swift actions of law enforcement prevented a high-profile assassination orchestrated by Russian intelligence, apprehending the suspects during the final preparation stages.
Recruitment Through Telegram and “Test Tasks”
According to official investigation reports, the perpetrators hired by Russian handlers were two drug-addicted individuals from the town of Korostyshiv in the Zhytomyr region. Russian intelligence agencies increasingly rely on marginalized groups for subversive activities, recruiting them through anonymous Telegram channels where the suspects were seeking “easy money for a dose.”
After their initial recruitment, the Russian handlers assigned the agents several “test tasks” to evaluate their ruthlessness and loyalty. Shockingly, the investigation has already linked the two suspects to at least two other murders committed in Ukraine’s northern regions. Emboldened by their previous crimes, the agents proceeded to prepare for the assassination of the Major General.
Surveillance and Ambush Plans
To execute the high-profile killing, the suspects conducted thorough reconnaissance around the targeted military official’s residence. They maintained constant communication with their Russian supervisors, coordinating every detail of the assassination plan. The hitmen were instructed to wait for the exact geolocation of a hidden cache from which they were supposed to retrieve firearms. Their ultimate goal was to ambush and shoot the general near his home.
However, the SBU and the National Police remained one step ahead. The operatives detained both would-be assassins before they could obtain the weapons and carry out the attack. During the authorized searches, law enforcement seized smartphones containing irrefutable evidence of their direct communication with Russian intelligence services and detailed preparations for the military commander’s murder.
Severe Charges and Ongoing Threats
The detained individuals have been officially notified of suspicion under two severe articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- High treason committed under martial law;
- Premeditated murder committed for mercenary motives by prior conspiracy of a group of persons.
Both suspects are currently held in custody without the right to bail. If convicted, they face life imprisonment with the confiscation of all property.
A Broader Campaign of Terror
This incident is part of a broader, systematic campaign by the Russian Federation to eliminate Ukraine’s top military leadership. In March of this year, SBU counterintelligence captured another Russian agent who was preparing a targeted missile and bomb strike against Brigadier General Andriy Biletskyi, the commander of the Third Army Corps. In that instance, Russian forces recruited a UAV operator from a brigade deployed in the Kharkiv region to act as a spotter.
The successful disruption of these terror plots, alongside the recent “GART” operation which prevented terrorist acts across Ukraine and the EU, highlights the critical role of Ukrainian counterintelligence. As the conflict continues, safeguarding military commanders from internal sabotage remains a paramount priority for national security.