Former Ukrainian Official Survives Assassination Attempt in Moscow

Kirill Prozorov, a former Ukrainian security official who defected to Russia, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Moscow on April 12, 2024, according to his statement reported by Russian media. Prozorov claims the attempt on his life failed due to the poor selection of the perpetrator.

Prozorov worked for Ukraine's Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) until 2018. After his departure from the agency, he told media in Moscow that he had collaborated with Russia for ideological reasons from April 2014 until leaving the SBU. The circumstances and timing of his defection remain unclear.

Russian media reports indicate that an explosive device placed under Prozorov's car detonated in Moscow, causing leg injuries to the former Ukrainian official. His injuries are not considered life-threatening. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Why this matters: The attempted assassination of a former Ukrainian security official in Moscow emphasizes the complex and often dangerous nature of international espionage and defections. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which have been engaged in a conflict since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Details surrounding the failed assassination attempt remain limited, with information primarily sourced from Prozorov's own statement to Russian media. Russian authorities have not yet released an official statement on the incident or any potential suspects. The investigation into the attack is likely ongoing, and further developments may emerge in the coming days and weeks.

Key Takeaways

• Former Ukrainian security official Kirill Prozorov narrowly escaped assassination in Moscow.
• Prozorov defected to Russia in 2018 after collaborating with them since 2014.
• An explosive device detonated under Prozorov's car, causing non-life-threatening leg injuries.
• The assassination attempt highlights tensions between Russia and Ukraine since 2014.
• Details remain limited, with the investigation ongoing as of the article's publication.