Court Extends Detention of State Guard Colonels Accused in Plot to Assassinate Spy Chief

Detention of State Guard Colonels Continues

According to Главком: A Kyiv court has extended the pre-trial detention of two colonels from Ukraine's State Guard Service (UDO). Oleksandr Derkach and Andrii Huk are accused of state treason and plotting a terrorist act. The men were detained in May 2024 on suspicion of collaborating with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and planning an assassination attempt against Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR). This case highlights the persistent threat of Russian intelligence operations within Ukraine's own security structures.

During a hearing on March 17, the Holosiivskyi District Court granted a prosecutor's request to keep both men in custody until May 15. Prosecutor Andrii Pokhil filed the motion for the extension. In addition to the treason charges, Andrii Huk also faces accusations of preparing a terrorist act and the illegal possession of weapons.

Investigation Details

According to Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), which announced the foiling of the plot in May 2024, Andrii Huk allegedly hid a drone and explosives in a cache during 2023 to carry out the attack. He is said to have recruited his colleague, Oleksandr Derkach, to assist him. Derkach, in turn, gathered intelligence on international aid deliveries and passed it to Huk. Both colonels were detained on suspicion of working for the FSB.

The SBU has formally served both detainees with suspicion notices for state treason, and Derkach is also suspected of preparing a terrorist act. The security service stated it uncovered a network of FSB agents who were plotting to assassinate the President of Ukraine and other senior officials. SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk has publicly stated that Russian special services intended to kill both him and Kyrylo Budanov, underscoring the gravity of the threat.

This case has significant implications for Ukraine's national security, demonstrating the active role of Russian intelligence services in creating military and political threats. Investigating such incidents is crucial for identifying and preventing potential dangers from external actors. The arrest of high-ranking State Guard officers signals a serious internal security challenge demanding the full attention of the country's law enforcement agencies.

The ongoing investigations into security breaches within Ukraine's military structures raise serious concerns about internal corruption. This situation is further underscored by a recent case involving a military recruitment officer caught in a bribery scheme to evade mobilization, highlighting the vulnerabilities that could be exploited by foreign intelligence agencies. Such incidents emphasize the need for vigilance in safeguarding national security, especially amidst ongoing threats.