The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), together with the National Guard, prosecutors, and the National Police, has detained a man who allegedly attempted to assassinate Ihor Obolenskyi, Commander of the Khartiia Corps. According to investigators, Russian intelligence recruited the suspect while posing as officers of the SSU.
The SSU announced the arrest, Ukrinform reports.
According to the investigation, the suspect is a 69-year-old resident of Kharkiv.
Investigators say a Russian handler instructed the pensioner to kill Obolenskyi, falsely claiming that the Commander was collaborating with Russia. To support the deception, Russian operatives allegedly sent the suspect an AI-generated image depicting Obolenskyi standing on Moscow’s Red Square wearing a T-shirt bearing the Russian military’s “Z” symbol.
According to the available evidence, Russian intelligence also arranged for the would-be assassin to receive a firearm through a courier. Authorities are working to identify that individual.
