Zelensky dismisses top bodyguard amid thwarted assassination attempt

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky removed the head of the agency in charge of his protection following the arrest of two officers for allegedly planning to assassinate him.

The dismissal of State Guard Service (UDO) chief Serhii Rud was announced through a decree on the presidential website. No explanation was provided for his removal.

Rud was chosen as Zelensky’s chief bodyguard in October 2019, as reported by Ukrainian state media Ukrinform. A new replacement for this position has not been announced yet.

The UDO is responsible for keeping Ukraine’s president and other high-ranking officials safe, as well as securing government buildings.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Ukraine had arrested two security officials who were reportedly part of a Russian plan to assassinate Zelensky.

According to Ukraine's Prosecutor General's office, two colonels in the UDO were charged with engaging in "subversive activities against Ukraine in return for money."

Both colonels faced charges of treason, with one of them also being accused of plotting a terrorist act.

According to the state security service in Kyiv (SBU), they were able to prevent the assassination plans targeting Zelensky and other high-ranking Ukrainian officials. This included the head of the SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, and the head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov.

The prosecutor’s office revealed that one of the suspects was given two drones and ammunition by Russia’s state security service (FSB) with the intention of passing them to another accomplice for an explosion.

Zelensky has been targeted in multiple assassination attempts since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In addition to these plots, Zelensky has had several close calls during his visits to the front lines and Ukrainian cities under Russian attack.

Editor's P/S:

The news of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's dismissal of his security chief, Serhii Rud, following the arrest of two officers allegedly plotting his assassination, is both alarming and a testament to the ongoing threats faced by Ukrainian leadership during the Russian invasion. The revelation that Russia's FSB had been involved in the assassination plan underscores the level of external threats to Ukraine and the need for vigilance in protecting its leaders.

Zelensky's close calls during visits to the front lines and Russian-attacked cities highlight the personal risks he takes in leading his country's defense. His resilience and determination in the face of these threats are a source of inspiration for Ukrainians and a reminder of the sacrifices made by those fighting for their freedom and independence. The dismissal of Rud and the arrest of the suspected officers demonstrate Ukraine's commitment to rooting out internal threats and ensuring the safety of its leaders, who play a crucial role in guiding the country through this challenging time.