Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has attempted to eliminate Ukrainian officials through various means. The latest such attempt was the operation to assassinate Zelensky and other senior officials, which involved two senior officers recruited by Russia. Their task was to provide real-time updates on the location of these officials to Russian security forces and try to recruit collaborators within the Ukrainian army to help carry out the mission.
The original plan was to assassinate Kirilo Budanov, head of the GRU, before Orthodox Easter as a gift to Putin before his inauguration. However, this plan was ultimately unsuccessful. The two senior officers were accused of treason and one was also accused of planning an act of terrorism. They received weapons and support from the Russian security service in carrying out the operation.
This incident is just one example of many attempts by Russia to eliminate Ukrainian officials since the start of the war. There have been previous attempts to locate and execute Zelensky as well as other senior officials. The Russian army has sent mercenaries and made other attempts to carry out these assassinations.
Despite the efforts of Russian security forces, these assassination attempts were unsuccessful. This highlights the ongoing security threats faced by Ukrainian officials and underscores the need for continued vigilance in protecting them.
In conclusion, Russia’s attempt to assassinate Zelensky and other senior officials in Ukraine is a clear indication that they are willing to go to great lengths to achieve their objectives. It also serves as a reminder that Ukraine continues to face significant security challenges that require constant attention from both domestic and international actors.