Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken action following the recent uncovering of an alleged assassination plot against him and other senior officials.
In response to the foiled scheme, Zelensky has announced the dismissal of Sergiy Leonidovich Rud, the head of Ukraine’s State Protection Department responsible for his personal security.
The announcement, made through a published decree, did not provide a specific reason for Rud’s removal or designate a successor to the sensitive role. This comes in the wake of revelations by Ukraine’s SBU security service earlier this week, which disclosed the detention of two colonels from the bodyguard department over suspicions of collusion with Russia’s FSB security service.
According to the SBU, the detained officers are suspected of sharing classified information with Russia and facilitating the procurement of weaponry, including rocket rounds, drones, and anti-personnel mines, allegedly intended for use in carrying out attacks against Ukrainian officials.
Sergiy Leonidovich Rud, 47, had held the position of department head since 2019, overseeing the security arrangements for Zelensky, his family, and other top officials. Zelensky, who has faced multiple threats since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has been outspoken about the persistent danger he faces, revealing last year that he was aware of several thwarted assassination attempts against him.
