The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained a 19-year-old Mykolaiv resident suspected of preparing to assassinate Hennadii Druzenko, co-founder and president of the Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital.
The SSU and the Office of the Prosecutor General reported the case. Druzenko also confirmed on social media that an assassination attempt against him had been planned.
According to investigators, the suspect was recruited by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) to kill the activist during his morning walk with his dog in a forest.
Investigators say the suspect monitored Druzenko’s daily routine and movements. He then allegedly received coordinates from the FSB for a cache containing a pistol, ammunition and a suppressor, which he collected in preparation for the attack.
Following instructions from the Russian intelligence service, the suspect was allegedly supposed to spend the night in the forest near Druzenko’s home and shoot him several times from an ambush during his morning walk.
SSU officers detained the suspect at the location where he was allegedly preparing to carry out the attack.
The Prosecutor General’s Office said the arrest took place on July 31 in the Vyshhorod district of the Kyiv region.
Law enforcement officers seized the weapon and other evidence that investigators say confirms the suspect’s cooperation with Russian intelligence services.
The 19-year-old has been notified of suspicion under several articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, including high treason and preparation for premeditated murder.
The detainee is a 19-year-old resident of Mykolaiv who was allegedly recruited by Russian intelligence services. According to investigators, he came to their attention because of his activity on social media, where he published posts supporting fascist and Nazi ideology.
During searches, law enforcement officers seized three pistols equipped with suppressors and ammunition, as well as smartphones containing evidence of his alleged cooperation with the FSB.
He has been notified of suspicion of high treason committed under martial law, preparation for a contract killing, and illegal possession of weapons, ammunition or explosives.
The suspect is being held in custody. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
