SSU and National Police detain GRU hit squad plotting contract killings in Kyiv
The Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with the National Police, has thwarted a series of contract killings in Kyiv. As a result of a multi-stage special operation in the capital, the agencies have neutralised an operational combat group of the russian military intelligence – the GRU – that was preparing to assassinate Ukrainian military personnel and public figures.
The SSU Counterintelligence detained all members of the group while they were preparing an attempt on the life of a commander of one of Kyiv’s territorial defence volunteer units. Investigators established that the suspects intended to carry out the assassination using firearms near his place of duty.
Further findings revealed that the hit squad had also identified additional targets, including commanders of units within the National Guard, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, and the Special Operations Forces. The members of the cell planned to use improvised explosive devices, placing them under the vehicles of their intended victims.
According to the investigation, the primary perpetrators were a repeat offender previously convicted of robbery, who had been recruited by the GRU, and his accomplice, a woman from Zaporizhzhia.
Among the other suspects is the director of a private security company, who provided a vehicle to facilitate the perpetrators’ escape following the planned attack. Another individual involved is a law enforcement officer from Dnipropetrovsk region, who accessed internal databases and was expected to report to the GRU to confirm the assassination.
Investigators determined that the group’s activities were coordinated by an officer of the 4th directorate of the Kubinka special purpose center of russia’s military intelligence special operations forces. His identity has been established.
To recruit participants, the coordinator used a woman from Kherson, whom he had met during the city’s temporary occupation in 2022. After Kherson was liberated, she fled to russia.
During the searches of the suspects’ homes and workplaces, the law enforcement seized weapons, spare SIM cards, and mobile phones containing evidence of working for the GRU.
All detainees have been notified of suspicion under several Articles of the CCU:
- 111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);
- 15.2, 115.2 (attempted premeditated murder for financial gain, carried out by a group acting in prior conspiracy);
- 362.2 (unauthorized actions involving information processed in electronic computers, automated systems, computer networks, or stored on data storage media, committed by a person authorized to access such information).
The suspects face punishment ranging from 10 years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment, with confiscation of property.
Additionally, the actions of their russian handler and the Kherson-based recruiter have been classified under multiple charges, including treason, attempted sabotage by an organised group, and attempted contract killing.
The operation was carried out by the SSU Main Directorate in Kyiv and Kyiv region, in cooperation with the Internal Security Department of the National Police, under the procedural supervision of Kyiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.