SBU thwarts Russian plot to assassinate Third Army Corps Commander Biletsky
Ukrainian security officials thwarted a Russian-ordered assassination plot against Andriy Biletsky, commander of the Third Army Corps, by detaining a drone operator who planned a missile or bomb strike during Biletsky's frontline visit, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported.
The suspect, a UAV operator from a separate brigade operating in Kharkiv Oblast, was recruited by Russian special services through his ex-wife, who lives in temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast and works for Russia.
He sought details on Biletsky's arrival time and location at his unit's positions, using official access and discreetly questioning colleagues for classified information.w
As part of the task, he was to transmit the locations of his brigade's headquarters and training center for a separate Russian strike. To conceal communications with Russia, he regularly deleted messages.
The SBU uncovered the man early in his espionage activities, documented his contacts with Russian services step by step, and secured relevant Ukrainian defense locations.
The operation succeeded with assistance from Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Robert Brovdi (known as "Magyar").
The "mole" was detained at the garrison and charged under Part 2 of Article 111 of Ukraine's Criminal Code — high treason committed under martial law, punishable by life imprisonment and property confiscation. He remains in custody.