Russian Security Service Arrests Suspect in Attempted Assassination of Ex-Ukrainian Officer

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained a man suspected of coordinating an assassination attempt on Vasily Prozorov, a former lieutenant-colonel in Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) who now resides in Russia. The suspect, a Russian national in his early 40s, is believed to have acted under the instructions of the current leadership of the SBU.

According to the FSB, the suspect was recruited in Ukraine last October and returned to Russia in March. He allegedly constructed the radio-triggered improvised explosive device used in the attack on Prozorov's car , which occurred on April 12, 2024, in Moscow. Prozorov sustained minor injuries in the blast.

The FSB released footage showing that three people were involved in the conspiracy to blow up Prozorov's car. A courier, a Russian-Moldovan dual national born in 1994, brought the bomb components disguised as nail and hair styling tools from Warsaw, Poland, to Moscow. The package was then handed over to another Russian citizen, born in 1983, who assembled the device and planted it under the victim's car.

Prozorov, who had previously provided sensitive information to Russian intelligence agencies since 2014, is now a Russian citizen. The FSB stated that the assassination attempt was carried out on the orders of Vasily Malyuk, the current head of the SBU.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both countries engaging in covert operations targeting individuals perceived as adversaries. The arrest of the suspect sheds light on the complex web of espionage and retaliation that continues to strain the relationship between the two nations.

The suspect faces charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of explosives, terrorism, and treason, which could result in a life sentence if convicted. The FSB has opened a criminal case and is working to establish all the conspirators involved in the crime, including foreign nationals, in order to prosecute them. Efforts are underway to investigate the assassination attempt and bring those responsible to justice.

Key Takeaways

• FSB detains suspect in assassination attempt on ex-SBU officer Prozorov in Moscow.
• Suspect recruited in Ukraine, built bomb used in April 2024 attack on Prozorov's car.
• Courier and assembler also involved in conspiracy, acting on orders from SBU head Malyuk.
• Prozorov, now a Russian citizen, previously provided intel to Russian agencies since 2014.
• Suspect faces charges including attempted murder, terrorism, and treason for the attack.