Russian Agents Foiled in Assassination Plot Against Lawyer and Volunteer Hennadiy Druzenko

Assassination Attempt Targeting Hennadiy Druzenko

According to ХВИЛЯ: Russian intelligence operatives orchestrated a plot to kill Hennadiy Druzenko, a lawyer, volunteer, and co-founder of the First Volunteer Mobile Hospital named after Mykola Pirogov. The assassin was apprehended in a forest ambush while preparing to attack Druzenko during his morning dog walk. The attempt took place on July 31, the same day an assault occurred against Igor Obolensky, commander of the 2nd National Guard Corps.

The captured hitman is a 19-year-old from Mykolaiv who was recruited by Russia's FSB. He faces charges of treason during martial law, conspiracy to murder on contract, and illegal possession of weapons. Authorities seized three silenced pistols, ammunition, and smartphones containing evidence of his coordination with the FSB during searches. Currently detained, he risks life imprisonment with property confiscation if convicted.

Official Statements and Responses

The operation was led by acting head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Oleksandr Poklad. Druzenko described the assassin as "a traitorous gunman who traveled from another city, meticulously studied my daily routine, knew my travel routes, possessed photos, and planned to shoot me with a silenced pistol during my morning dog walk in the woods.”

Expressing gratitude, Druzenko praised the SBU’s counterintelligence department, saying, "The Security Service of Ukraine acted flawlessly. The criminal was caught red-handed." He reflected on being targeted by Russian forces with pride: "It means my life’s work has meaning and I am on the right path." He added, "Now I understand that I am protected not only by God but also by the ‘Divine Service of Ukraine,’ better known as the SBU."

Investigations revealed that the assassin had thoroughly researched Druzenko’s schedule and intended to kill him with multiple shots from a concealed position. The FSB provided coordinates for the weapons cache and the assassin planned to spend the night near Druzenko’s home in the forest. Russian intelligence noticed the suspect due to his social media activity, where he posted content supporting fascist and Nazi ideologies. While the SBU refrains from naming the targeted activist in official releases, the details align with this case.

This episode highlights the ongoing dangers faced by Ukrainian activists and human rights defenders amid the conflict with Russia. The arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of Ukrainian special services in countering terrorist threats. The recruitment of young individuals by Russian operatives, often facilitated through social media promotion of extremist views, remains a serious security concern. This underscores the persistent risks for activists who continue to operate under these perilous conditions.

In a related incident, the Security Service of Ukraine recently thwarted another potential attack, this time involving a university student recruited by Russian operatives in Poltava. This case highlights the ongoing threats posed by foreign intelligence agencies and the critical role of the SBU in ensuring national security. For more details on this foiled terror plot, click here.