President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Serhii Rud, the head of the State Guard Service (UDO), following the detention of two UDO officers involved in a suspected assassination plot against him. The officers, both holding the rank of colonel, were arrested earlier this week, accused of treason and preparing a terrorist act as part of a scheme allegedly orchestrated by Russian operatives.
The UDO, responsible for the security of the Ukrainian president and other key state figures, has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that these officers were purportedly engaged in subversive activities against the state for financial gain. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s office disclosed that the plot included plans for using drones and explosives to carry out the assassination. The State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) managed to foil the plot, which also targeted other high-ranking officials such as the heads of the SBU and Defence Intelligence.
This incident marks yet another in a series of assassination attempts against Zelensky, who has been a high-profile target since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The president has frequently been in the proximity of danger, visiting front lines and cities under heavy bombardment. The dismissal of Rud is part of a broader reshuffle within the Ukrainian government, which has been dealing with challenges related to the ongoing war and internal issues such as corruption.
The situation remains tense as Ukraine continues to navigate both external threats from Russian aggression and internal security challenges.Â
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