Security officials in Ukraine say they’ve intercepted a Russian plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Two Ukrainian law enforcement officers were arrested after they allegedly leaked confidential information to a Russian source, according to the Ukraine Security Service.
Authorities say they are aware of a Russian terrorist organisation that has been working to recruit spies on the ground in Ukraine since 2022.
Zelenskyy assassination plot
Russian forces had allegedly been looking to recruit Ukrainian staffers close to Zelenskyy as part of a plot to kill the President.
Ukraine says these officials have acted as spies, sharing information with Russian forces in the lead-up to plans to take Zelenskyy hostage to kill him.
The assassination would have coincided with Vladimir Putin’s inauguration for a fifth term as Russian President earlier this week, Ukraine said. The claims could not be independently verified.
Ukraine claims Russia had also planned to launch a rocket attack to assassinate several other high-ranking officials, including the leader of its Security Service, Vasyl Maliuk.
However, the Service said it was able to intercept the plot after it launched a special operation tracking an alleged terror network.
Maliuk called the plan a “failure of the Russian special services” and said “every traitor” involved in the plot would be punished.
Two Ukrainians have been charged with treason and preparation for an act of terrorism. They are facing life in prison.
Ukraine war
Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukraine has lost some ground in recent months, partly due to a weapons shortage and the delayed flow of aid from its global allies.
Last month, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a law to send $AU93 billion in aid to Ukraine.
During a visit to Ukraine last month, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles announced an additional $100 million aid package for the region.
Australia has provided over $1 billion in support to Ukraine since the war began.
