Ukrainian Intelligence Officer Shot in Kyiv

A senior officer of the Ukrainian intelligence service was fatally shot on Thursday in Kyiv, leading to an immediate investigation by authorities to determine if the incident was an assassination. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed the tragic event and announced that a thorough investigation is underway.

CCTV Footage Reveals Chilling Details

CCTV footage obtained by CNN shows a man exiting his apartment building in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district. Carrying two bags, he approaches a parked car when a masked assailant confronts him and fires multiple shots at close range. The victim collapses instantly, and the gunman flees the scene after tucking the weapon into his shorts.

Victim Identified as Colonel Ivan Voronych

The officer has been identified by Ukrainian media as Colonel Ivan Voronych, who was reportedly responsible for high-level security missions, special operations, and counterterrorism within the SBU’s 16th department’s 1st division. Roman Chervinsky, a former Ukrainian intelligence officer, described the attack as a targeted assassination, noting that Voronych had been actively involved in countering enemy forces since 2014.

Ongoing Investigation and Broader Context

The SBU spokesperson informed The New York Post that a criminal investigation is in progress, with collaboration between the SBU and National Police to uncover the circumstances and apprehend those responsible. This incident follows the death of Yaroslav Maskalik, a senior Russian military general, in a car explosion in Moscow three months prior, amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Recent Escalations in Ukraine

The assassination occurs against a backdrop of heightened conflict, with over 728 drones and 13 ballistic missiles striking various Ukrainian cities earlier this week. On Thursday, another Russian airstrike targeted Kyiv, resulting in at least two deaths and 16 injuries. These events mark some of the most significant escalations since the war began in 2022.