Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken decisive action following the recent revelation of an alleged assassination plot against him. Zelensky has dismissed the head of the State Guard Service (UDO), Serhii Rud, as reported in a decree published on the presidential website. The reasons for Rud's dismissal have not been officially disclosed.
Rud, who was appointed as Zelensky's top bodyguard in October 2019, has been replaced by an as-yet-unannounced successor. The UDO is responsible for safeguarding the security of Ukraine's president, senior state officials, and administrative buildings.
Recent developments have seen two UDO officers detained over their alleged involvement in a Russian-backed scheme to assassinate Zelensky. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office revealed that two colonels within the UDO were apprehended for engaging in subversive activities in exchange for financial incentives. Both individuals have been charged with treason, with one also facing charges related to preparing a terrorist act.
The Kyiv state security service (SBU) successfully thwarted the assassination plans targeting Zelensky, as well as other high-ranking Ukrainian officials, including the head of the SBU and the head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. The prosecutor's office disclosed that one of the suspects received drones and ammunition from Russia's state security service (FSB) with the intention of orchestrating an explosion.
Zelensky, who has been the target of multiple assassination attempts since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has encountered numerous close calls during his visits to conflict zones and areas under Russian bombardment.
