In a surprise revelation, Ukraine’s deputy head of military intelligence, Vadym Skibitsky, has publicly stated that President Vladimir Putin is number one on Kyiv’s kill list, citing the Russian leader’s direct involvement in the ongoing war. According to Skibitsky, Putin’s familiarity with the list and awareness of his own mortality have led him to become increasingly concerned about being assassinated not only by Ukraine’s forces but also by his own people. The official went on to name several high-ranking Russian officials, including mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, as targets.
Skibitsky noted that Putin’s movements have become more frequent in public, rendering him a slightly more vulnerable target. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the threat, assuring that Russia’s security services are fully capable of protecting the president. Peskov claimed that Skibitsky’s statements only serve to confirm Russia’s justified actions in its “special military operation” in Ukraine, which Kyiv and the West see as an unprovoked war of aggression.
Vladimir Putin (Via Vladimir Putin/Twitter)
The Kremlin has previously attempted to portray a drone attack on the Kremlin earlier this month as a Ukrainian attempt to kill Putin, a claim Kyiv rejected at the time. However, The New York Times reported that US intelligence agencies believe the attack was likely orchestrated by Ukrainian spies or military intelligence. The statements made by Ukraine’s top intelligence official have sent shockwaves through the international community, raising concerns about the heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Despite Ukraine’s threats, Peskov’s confidence in Russia’s ability to protect Putin suggests that the Kremlin is not unduly alarmed by the situation. Skibitsky’s admission has simply reinforced Russia’s resolve to continue its military campaign in Ukraine, which the country claims is necessary to secure its borders and protect its citizens. As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches with bated breath to see if Ukraine’s threats will materialize and what the consequences will be for all parties involved.
