Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) announced on Monday that it has thwarted an attempted coup aimed at destabilizing the government. According to the SBU, the plot, which would have “played into Russia’s hands,” involved inciting a riot in Kyiv to facilitate a takeover of the Ukrainian parliament and the ousting of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The alleged coup attempt was set to occur on June 30, coinciding with the anniversary of Ukraine’s constitution. The SBU detailed that a group of activists planned to instigate public unrest and seize the Parliament building, with the intention of removing the nation’s political and military leadership. Four suspects have been arrested and charged.
The SBU claimed the conspirators had rented a hall with a capacity of 2,000 people and were attempting to recruit military personnel and armed guards to execute the seizure of the parliament. Weapons, ammunition, cellphones, and computers with evidence of the planned action were reportedly seized during the arrests.
Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office stated that the main organizer, a head of a non-governmental entity, had previously participated in provocative events. The SBU noted that the accused had hoped to disseminate news of the planned unrest through domestic and foreign media.
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