Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken decisive action by removing the head of the state guards amidst shocking allegations of an assassination plot involving two members.
Zelenskyy relieved former state guards leader Serhiy Rud of his duties on Thursday, following revelations from the state security service (SBU) about a sinister plan to assassinate Zelenskyy and other high-ranking officials. A successor for Rud has yet to be announced.
The SBU disclosed that the planned assassinations were intended as a “gift” for Russian President Vladimir Putin during his recent inauguration for a new term in office.
The SBU revealed that the two individuals, both colonels in the state guard, had schemed to kidnap Zelenskyy and ultimately end his life.
Additionally, other prominent figures such as SBU head Vasyl Maliuk and Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the military intelligence agency, were also marked as targets in the thwarted scheme.
While Moscow has remained silent on the SBU’s accusations, alleging that the two bodyguards had leaked confidential information to Russia’s security service, the FSB.
This is not the first time Zelenskyy has faced such threats, having previously disclosed that at least five Russian assassination plots have been foiled since the conflict began.
Zelenskyy’s administration has encountered challenges in recent months, prompting changes in key positions as progress in the country’s conflict with Russia stagnates and corruption allegations surface.
In a similar move, Zelenskyy appointed Oleksandr Syrskyii as the new army chief in February, following the dismissal of General Valerii Zaluzhny from the role.
Article from www.aljazeera.com