Suspect Apprehended in Assassination Conspiracy Against Andriy Yusov
Ukrainian law enforcement has uncovered a plot to assassinate Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR). Investigators say the Russian Federation commissioned the attack. During the operation, authorities detained a middleman tasked with recruiting a hitman to carry out the murder.
Yusov serves as deputy head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. The 34-year-old suspect is a former military serviceman. The offer to find an assassin for Yusov first emerged in early 2026, with the incitement period running from February to June 2026. A reward of $100,000 was promised for completing the assassination.
According to reports, the middleman was arrested on June 18, and a court ordered him held in custody the following day, June 19. An advance payment of $22,000 had already been transferred to a cryptocurrency wallet. Earlier, Ukrainian authorities had already exposed a mercenary working for Russian special services who was preparing to kill the HUR official.
Ongoing Threats Against Ukrainian Officials
In February 2026, Andriy Yusov confirmed he was the target of a series of contract killings orchestrated by Russia. This case highlights the severe dangers facing Ukrainian government officials amid the ongoing conflict.
The Prosecutor General's Office and the HUR are continuing their investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident underscores Russia's continued aggressive actions against Ukraine, particularly through the use of contract killings to intimidate Ukrainian authorities. The detention of the middleman and evidence of organized activity by Russian intelligence services point to systematic attempts to destabilize Ukraine. Law enforcement agencies plan to enhance security measures to protect key officials from such threats going forward.
The recent arrest of a middleman involved in the assassination plot against Andriy Yusov is part of a broader pattern of threats against Ukrainian officials. For further insights on how the SBU is tackling these serious risks, including the detention of a Russian agent linked to a planned attack on Yusov, read more about the ongoing investigations in our detailed report.