Zelensky determined to remain in Kyiv, says advisor
Despite reports by western media of several foiled assassination attempts on Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, he will not leave Kyiv, president’s advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said in an interview with Russian journalist Yulia Latynina on March 6.
“Zelensky is someone who will definitely not leave his country and Kyiv – he is daring, without fear,” said Podolyak.
“He is convinced he has to be at the heart of the country.”
On the subject of assassination attempts, Podolyak said that Kyiv was infiltrated by many Russian recon and sabotage squads, as early as six months prior to the invasion. According to him, government quarters in the capital are constantly repelling infiltration attempts by the enemy.
“The Times mentioned two assassination attempts; I think there were many more of them, since the Russians had a singular objective during the first three days (of the war) … – pressure Kyiv and attempt to eliminate Volodymyr Zelensky,” Podolyak said.
“Unfortunately for the Russian side, their General Staff has failed, and at this point it (assassinating Zelensky) would be pointless, since Volodymyr Zelensky has become a symbol of freedom.”
Earlier reports by The Times suggested that at least three assassination attempts against Zelensky were foiled, thanks to anti-war interests within Russia’s FSB security service feeding corresponding intelligence to Ukraine.
Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, said that Ukraine has been made aware of an elite squad of Russian troops, loyal to Chechnya’s President Ramzan Kadyrov, who were tasked with eliminating Zelensky. They have been since destroyed.
Russian propaganda apparatus routinely spreads misinformation alleging Zelensky has fled the country.
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