Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky survived three assassination attempts in a week after plots were foiled by double agents, according to reports.
A group of 400 mercenaries from the Kremlin-backed Wagner group and Chechen special forces were reportedly sent to Ukraine up to five weeks ago to 'decapitate' the Ukrainian government.
In the last week alone, it is believed there have been three attempts to take out President Zelensky.
Last week, the assassins were said to be awaiting a green light from the Kremlin to move on Mr Zelensky, however the plan was said to be abandoned as they reached the upper echelons of the Ukrainian government.
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The assassinations were reportedly foiled when double agents within Russia's Federal Security Service, The Times reported.
The underground assassin group are said to have infiltrated Ukraine with a 24-name 'kill list' targeting the entire Cabinet - including the mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir.
It is widely believed that the group is at the beck and call of Vladimir Putin, although the Kremlin has repeatedly denied this.
The force is said to be heavily involved in supplying weapons, experienced operations personnel and military training to pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine.
The group has previously been deployed by the Kremlin outside of Russia, to carry out black ops operations that Putin wants done while avoiding direct responsibility.
After Moscow invaded last week, Zelensky addressed the nation, claiming that Russian special forces were in the capital searching for him as “target No 1”.
However when he was offered the chance to flee by America he said: “I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Zelensky vowed to stay and fight for his country in the face of Russian aggressions.
Yesterday, president Zelensky urged Putin to sit down with him and talk in order to bring an end to the now eight day invasion.
In an address to the Russian leader, Zelensky said: "Get off our land. You don't want to leave now? Then sit down with me at the negotiation table. I'm available.
"Sit. Just not 30 metres away like with Macron or Scholz etc. I am your neighbour. You don't need to keep me 30 metres away.
"I don't bite. I'm a normal bloke. Sit down with me and talk. What are you afraid of? We aren't threatening anyone, we're not terrorists, we aren't seizing banks and seizing foreign land."
It follows the Ukraine president's earlier comments, in which he warned Russia would "pay" for their invasion of the country.
He said: "We will restore every house, every street, every city and we say to Russia: learn the word of reparations and contributions.
"You will reimburse us for everything you did against our state, against every Ukrainian in full."
