 arrested a woman suspected to be involved in a plot by Russia to target President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.){kind=link}
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on Monday the arrest of a woman believed to be involved in a plot orchestrated by Russia to target President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to the flood-hit region of Mykolaiv. The detained woman was accused of gathering intelligence in an attempt to ascertain Zelenskyy’s itinerary ahead of his trip to the southern Ukrainian city.
A blurred image was released by the SBU depicting the woman being apprehended by masked officers within a kitchen setting. Additionally, several phone messages and handwritten notes detailing military activities were made public. Ukraine has frequently leveled accusations against residents suspected of aiding Russia’s military endeavors.
In a statement issued via the Telegram messaging service, President Zelenskyy confirmed that the SBU had informed him about their efforts in combatting “traitors.” Zelenskyy had previously visited Mykolaiv in June after the area suffered from extensive flooding resulting from the Kakhovka dam breach, and subsequently in July following incidents of shelling.
According to the SBU, Ukraine was made aware of the plot well in advance, enabling the implementation of heightened security measures during Zelenskyy’s visit. The agency alleged that the detained suspect was involved in assisting Russia’s plans for a “massive air strike on the Mykolaiv region,” actively seeking information on the locations of electronic warfare systems and ammunition storage facilities.
Continual monitoring of the suspect by SBU officers yielded insights into her interactions with Russian handlers and her assignments. Eventually, the woman was apprehended “red-handed” while attempting to transfer intelligence data to Russian secret services, according to the SBU’s report.
The detained woman was found to be a resident of Ochakiv, a small town in the Mykolaiv region, and had previously been employed at a military base store. Allegedly, she had taken photographs of strategic locations and had sought information from her personal contacts in the region.
Authorities have indicated that she could potentially face charges related to unauthorized dissemination of classified information concerning the movements of weapons and troops. If convicted, the woman may face a prison sentence of up to 12 years.
This development follows previous tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with Moscow previously accusing Ukraine of attempting a drone attack on the Kremlin, purportedly to target President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian officials denied involvement in such an attack.
As investigations continue and more details emerge, Ukraine remains on high alert, emphasizing its dedication to safeguarding its sovereignty and protecting its leaders from external threats.