The two senior officers recruited by Russia were tasked with providing real-time updates on the location of Zelensky and other senior officials to Russian security forces. In addition, they were instructed to try and recruit collaborators within the Ukrainian army to help carry out a mission to assassinate Zelensky. Along with Zelensky, the Russian security forces also aimed to eliminate Vasil Maliuk, head of the SBU, and Kirilo Budanov, head of the GRU.
The original plan was to assassinate Budanov before Orthodox Easter as a gift for Putin before his inauguration. However, this operation ultimately failed. 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 attempt on Zelensky and other senior officials is just one of many that Russia has made since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. 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 their efforts, Russian security forces were unable to successfully carry out this operation to eliminate Zelensky and other senior officials in Ukraine. This incident highlights the ongoing security threats faced by Ukrainian officials and the need for continued vigilance in protecting them from such attacks.
