Assassination Plot Foiled — Russian Spy Arrested in Poland Who Planned to Kill Zelensky: Report

A man in Poland has been arrested under suspicion of collaborating with Russia in a plot to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to authorities.

Identified as Paweł K, the suspect is accused of aiding the Kremlin's security services in planning the attack, which was thwarted through joint efforts between Poland and Ukraine.

Paweł K was taken into custody on April 17 and is facing charges of "reporting his readiness to act for foreign intelligence," punishable by up to eight years in prison if convicted, The Sun reported.

A collaborative investigation led by Polish and Ukrainian law enforcement revealed that Paweł K had established direct contacts with individuals affiliated with the Russian Federation, actively involved in the conflict in Ukraine.

His role included gathering and supplying military intelligence to Russia, particularly concerning the security of the Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport. The ultimate objective was to assist Russian special services in devising a potential attack on President Zelensky.

While officials did not disclose whether Moscow had accepted Paweł K's offer of intelligence or its response, Ukrainian authorities alerted Polish prosecutors to their suspicions regarding the suspect, leading to his arrest.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Andrii Kostin, Ukraine's Prosecutor General, emphasized that this case underscores Russia's threat not only to Ukraine but to global security. He condemned the Kremlin's persistent efforts to undermine European and international stability.

The Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport, once a modest regional facility, has now emerged as a pivotal hub for delivering Western military aid to Ukraine following the full-scale invasion. It regularly receives military and cargo aircraft from the US and Europe, facilitating the transportation of supplies to the Ukrainian border, approximately 62 miles away.

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This alleged assassination attempt is just one of several targeting President Zelensky since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Recently, Zelensky survived an alleged assassination attempt while visiting the Black Sea port of Odessa, where a missile struck near his motorcade, resulting in casualties. Ukrainian authorities have previously reported thwarting attempts on Zelensky's life by Chechen operatives, allegedly orchestrated by Russian authorities.

Zelensky's adviser, Mikhail Podolyak, revealed that the Ukrainian leader has survived numerous attempts on his life during the early stages of the conflict. He highlighted Ukraine's robust intelligence and counterintelligence capabilities, which have been instrumental in neutralizing threats posed by Russian reconnaissance groups.