Two Ukrainians arrested for allegedly plotting Zelensky’s assassination with Russia, Ukraine says

LONDON and Kyiv — Two colonels in Ukraine’s State Protection Service have been identified as part of a group planning to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday.

The colonels, who were arrested but have not yet been publicly identified, were recruited by Russia’s Federal Security Service, known as the FSB, Ukraine said.

“Their mission was to identify servicemen within Zelensky’s security services who were capable of kidnapping and assassinating him,” Ukraine’s State Protection Service, or SBU, said.

Other senior officials were also reportedly targeted by the group, which SBU officials described as a “network of agents.” SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk and military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov were among those targeted, officials said.

“One of the agents was responsible for monitoring the president’s movements and relaying this information,” the SBU said in a statement posted on Telegram. “A plan was developed to target a location where the president would be present with a missile and drone strike.”

The colonels reportedly obtained the drones they planned to use for the operation against Zelensky.

The two men also allegedly leaked classified Ukrainian information to Moscow.

“Despite the planned terrorist attack, which was supposed to be a gift to Putin before the inauguration, Russian special services failed,” Malyuk said in a statement.

This is a developing story. Please check again for updates.