Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have thwarted an assassination plot targeting Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate and head of the Coordination Staff for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Yusov announced the foiled attempt on June 8, expressing gratitude towards the security forces for their intervention.
In a statement on social media, Yusov remarked, “Today, law enforcement informed me that they managed to prevent an attempt on my life. This is not the first time.” He interpreted the assassination attempt as a reflection of his effectiveness in his roles, suggesting that his work is causing distress to Russian occupiers.
The Main Intelligence Directorate revealed that a 38-year-old individual, allegedly recruited by Russian state agents, was arrested in Kyiv while attempting to orchestrate the assassination. According to the Directorate, the suspect had been promised $100,000 for the job and had already received a $10,000 advance to begin surveillance on Yusov.
To maintain secrecy, the conspirators reportedly used construction terminology, referring to the assassination as “construction,” the client as the “foreman,” and the assassin as the “worker.” The tools of the crime were described as either “cement” or “tools.” This coded language highlights the lengths to which the individuals went to conceal their intentions.
The arrested individual is a former military personnel with reconnaissance skills. If convicted, he faces a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 15 years, or potentially life imprisonment.
Andriy Nebitov, Deputy Head of the National Police, noted that the assassination was planned using an FPV drone. Law enforcement conducted over 20 simultaneous searches, leading to the collection of physical evidence related to the case.
Nebitov provided further context about the suspect, indicating that he had served in the military until 2025 before leaving due to health issues. The police have identified him as someone who sought to obtain a disability status to facilitate emigration. This situation underscores the ongoing recruitment efforts by Russian intelligence agencies, which appear to target not only former military personnel but also vulnerable individuals.
Currently, one individual has been detained, but investigations have revealed contacts with other potential conspirators. The inquiry is ongoing. Since the beginning of the year, Ukrainian authorities have recorded 22 terrorist acts, with direct perpetrators identified in 18 cases.
Ukrainian authorities successfully prevented an assassination attempt on intelligence official Andriy Yusov, revealing a plot orchestrated by Russian agents. The arrested suspect, a former military member, had been promised a significant sum for the job and was using coded language to conceal the conspiracy.