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Ukrainian authorities foil Russian-backed assassination attempt against Hero of Ukraine general Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and National Police say they foiled a contract killing targeting a major general who is a designated Hero of Ukraine. Authorities report the two would-be assassins, both drug addicts from Korostyshiv in the Zhytomyr region, had been recruited by Russian operatives through Telegram channels where they were searching for “easy money for a fix.” According to officials, after their recruitment, Russian intelligence gave the men “test assignments.” Investigators believe both suspects were involved in at least two killings in northern Ukraine before being tasked with eliminating the general. The men carried out surveillance near the officer’s home and coordinated the assassination plot with Russian handlers. The plan included waiting for GPS coordinates from a Russian supervisor, which would reveal the location of a hidden cache containing the firearm intended for the attack. However, Ukrainian security agents intervened and detained the suspects before they could carry out the killing. Searches at the time of arrest uncovered smartphones with evidence of contact between the suspects and Russian intelligence, as well as preparations to attack the Ukrainian general. Both men are now in custody and have been charged under two articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code: state treason during martial law (Article 111, para. 2) and premeditated murder for financial gain by a group acting with prior conspiracy (Articles 115, 6 & 12, para. 2). If convicted, they face life imprisonment and confiscation of property. Earlier in March, Ukrainian counterintelligence detained another Russian agent accused of preparing a missile and bomb strike on Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky, commander of the Third Army Corps. Russians allegedly recruited a drone operator from Biletsky’s brigade in Kharkiv region to help guide the planned attack. https://www.uawire.org/ukrainian-authorities-foil-russian-backed-assassination-attempt-against-hero-of-ukraine-general