The SSU has prevented a series of contract killings of representatives of Ukraine’s top military and political leadership and public figures.

As a result of a multi-stage special operation, the SSU neutralized a sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of russian armed forces (better known as the GRU).

The members of the group were preparing a physical elimination of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine and the Head of the MoD Main Intelligence Directorate, as well as a well-known Ukrainian activist.

For each murder, russian supervisors promised a reward in the amount of USD 100 to 150 thousand.

It was established that the group was formed by officers of the russian GRU to carry out subversive activities in Ukraine. It included a resident of temporarily occupied Luhansk, who as a participant of the LNR illegal armed formations actively fought against the ATO forces in eastern Ukraine.

Instructed by his moscow coordinator, he used his connections among criminal circles to look for an assassin to carry out contract killings.

A resident of Kyiv responded to his ‘offer’. For USD 5,000, he agreed to eliminate a Ukrainian military serviceman, who, according to the occupiers, was supposedly involved in killing russian POWs.

This assassination was supposed to be a ‘test’ before the enemy’s main assignment.

In order to assassinate the heads of defence institutions, the ‘liaison’ decided to personally arrive to Ukraine-controlled territory. Here, together with an accomplice, they were to develop a plan of elimination and submit it for approval to their russian supervisors.

Concealing his movements, the agent drove to Ukraine through Belarus.

The SSU documented his arrival in Volyn region through Domanove checkpoint and his meeting with the accomplice.

To prevent the crimes, the SSU Counterintelligence involved the SSU special force ‘A’ and detained both suspects in Kovel.

During the search, investigators uncovered evidence of criminal activity and the ‘liason’s’ russian passport.

Currently, both detainees have been notified of suspicion of treason committed under martial law and premeditated murder. The court is to decide on the type of detention.

‘The enemy cannot win on the battlefield, so they resort to their usual methods – attempt to assassinate the military and heads of Ukrainian authorities. And thereby once again prove to the whole world that russia is a terrorist state that does not follow any civilized rules. But we perfectly understand what to expect from russia, so we work proactively and thwart the enemy’s special operations. We will continue to do this!’ Acting SSU Head Vasyl Maliuk emphasized.

The investigation is underway to bring to justice coordinators of this criminal activity, who are currently hiding in russia.

The SSU Main Office in Kyiv and Kyiv region together with the SSU Office in Volyn region and the National Police carried out the operation under the procedural supervision of Kyiv Pechersk District Prosecutor’s Office.