Ukraine ends Russian assassination plot against famed volunteer Sternenko
SBU reports detention of Russian agents who were preparing a series of assassination attempts (Photo: SBU)
The Security Service of Ukraine announced the elimination of a Russian military intelligence assassin and the detention of his accomplices, who were preparing the murder of well-known activist and volunteer Serhii Sternenko on March 24.
The SBU said that as a result of a special operation coordinated personally by the agency’s first deputy head, Oleksandr Poklad, the GRU agent-combat group was neutralized and more than 10 of its members were detained. The hitman, who resisted arrest with a weapon, was killed.
During searches, law enforcement seized firearms, ammunition, voice recorders, computer equipment and surveillance cameras containing evidence of cooperation with Russian intelligence.
Investigators have notified the detainees of suspicion under several articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, including:
— treason committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy under martial law;
— collaboration activities committed by a group by prior conspiracy;
— unauthorized dissemination of information on the movement or deployment of Ukraine’s armed forces or other military formations under martial law;
— preparation of a terrorist act by a group by prior conspiracy;
— illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives.
All suspects are being held in custody without bail. They face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
On March 24, the Security Service also reported the detention in Rivne region of a GRU agent who was collecting and passing coordinates of Ukrainian military facilities to help guide Russian strikes.
On March 19, the SBU said it had exposed a servicemember of the Unmanned Systems Forces who was simultaneously working for Russian and Belarusian intelligence services and had attempted to flee to Russia.
Will you support Ukraine’s free press?
Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations.
As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility – to amplify Ukraine’s voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation.
It’s the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine.
If you’re willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda.
Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd.
If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly.
There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting.
We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If you’re willing to stand up for the truth – consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.
Will you help tell Ukraine’s story to the world?
Twenty years ago, most people hadn’t even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of – from music and culture to technology.
We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If you’re willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
