Ukraine foils Russian plot to assassinate Defense Forces general

Law enforcement officers detained two Russian agents in Zhytomyr Oblast who were preparing to assassinate the Ukrainian officer, the statement said.

The suspects conducted surveillance near the general’s residence and coordinated the assassination plan with Russian intelligence handlers, investigators found.

They were awaiting coordinates from their Russian curator for a weapons cache where they planned to obtain firearms and carry out an ambush near the officer’s home, the SBU said. Authorities intervened and detained both suspects during the preparation stage.

Two drug-dependent residents of Korostyshiv were recruited by Russian intelligence to carry out the attack, investigators said. They were identified through Telegram channels where they had been seeking quick ways to earn money.

Russian operatives assigned the suspects “test tasks” prior to the planned assassination, and both individuals are believed to be involved in at least two murders in northern Ukraine, investigators said.

The suspects have been charged under two articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code: treason committed under martial law, and premeditated murder carried out for financial gain by a group acting in prior conspiracy.

Both suspects are in custody and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property if convicted.