Moscow – The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced today that it has thwarted an alleged Ukrainian plot to assassinate a high-ranking government official in Moscow. According to the FSB, the planned assassination was to occur during a visit by the unnamed official to a family cemetery.
In a statement released earlier today, the FSB accused Kyiv of planning similar operations in other regions of Russia. The agency alleges that Ukrainian operatives were actively preparing to eliminate the official during the cemetery visit.
Independent verification of these claims remains impossible. However, Ukraine has been known to target Russian military officials since the start of the Russian offensive in February 2022.
In July, Russian authorities reported the death of an official responsible for military mobilization in Krasnodar, in southwestern Russia, after he was shot multiple times.
Furthermore, in April, a car explosion near Moscow resulted in the death of a Russian general. The National Investigative Committee attributed the incident to an improvised explosive device and launched a murder investigation. The victim was identified as General Iaroslav Moskalik, Deputy Head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
The wave of assassinations targeting high-ranking Russian military officials within Russia has reportedly raised concerns within the Kremlin. These incidents may suggest a growing sophistication and reach of Ukrainian intelligence operations.
DZWatch will continue to monitor this developing situation.
