Third Assassination Attempt On Zelensky Fails As Putin Unleashes 'nuclear Terror'

Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout/Reuters

Comic book hero Volodymyr Zelensky has survived at least three assassination attempts by elite hit squads since the Russian war started a week ago, according to Ukrainian officials who say his survival was all due to tips from Russian spies.

Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images

Both the Kremlin-funded mercenaries of the Wagner group and the assassination teams of the leader of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Achmadovich Kadyrov, are alleged to have tried to assassinate the Ukrainian president, who is hiding in several bunkers deep under the capital Kiev, according to the report. Washington Post† The Wagner mercenaries — run by Yevgeny Prigozhin AKA “Putin’s chief” — reportedly have a kill list of 24 names, including Zelensky, but were ambushed by the stalled military convoy outside Kiev that made it difficult for Russian special forces to find an escape route. to secure, according to the Time from London.

Ukrainian national security chief Oleksiy Danilov told a Ukrainian television network that double agents from the Russian Federal Security Service or FSB warned them of the attempts. “I can say that we have received information from the FSB, which does not want to participate in this bloody war,” Danilov said. “And thanks to this, the Kadyrov elite group, who came here to eliminate our president, was destroyed.”

But as President Putin’s relentless struggle continues, Zelensky’s stoic defiance has elevated him to cult status, no doubt angering Putin whose inferiority complex seems to be tipping toward psychosis. Zelensky is now even begging Putin for a face-to-face meeting — which may seem like a death wish — but it’s unlikely to happen. “I don’t bite,” Zelensky said in a statement to Putin. “What are you afraid of?”

Early Friday morning, as Europe’s largest nuclear power plant was smoldering under a Russian attack that turned into occupation, Zelensky made an emotional plea in a video statement accusing Russia of getting closer to nuclear war. “If there is an explosion, that is the end for everyone. The end for Europe. The evacuation of Europe,” he said as world leaders reacted with shock and dismay. Only urgent action from Europe can stop the Russian troops. Do not allow Europe to die in a nuclear power plant disaster.”

Zelensky added: “No country other than Russia has ever fired at nuclear power plants. This is the first time in our history. In the history of mankind. The terrorist state has now resorted to nuclear terror,” he said. “The Russian tanks knew they were firing at the station with direct fire.” The Russian army instead claimed that it was Ukrainian troops guarding the factory that fired first, provoking return fire.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg condemned the attack on the nuclear power plant. “This just shows the recklessness of this war and the importance of ending it and the importance of Russia in withdrawing all its troops and being good faith in diplomatic efforts,” he said Friday morning as leaders called for an emergency meeting. in response to the latest wave of aggression.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry warned that if the Zaporizhzhya factory were to melt, it would be ten times bigger than the Chernobyl disaster, which is considered the worst nuclear disaster in history.

As fighting raged across the country, Ukraine’s culture minister ordered workers to pack up statues and try to support the ancient basilicas in Kiev and Lviv while bracing for more rockets. “Russia’s missiles and planes are deliberately destroying historic centers of major cities. Putin wants to destroy Europe’s heritage and culture, wipe it off the face of the earth,” the culture ministry said in a statement Friday. “A mad dictator threatens to destroy Kiev’s St. Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO church built in the 11th century.”

Also in the strategic port city of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine, a fierce battle with constant bombardment was going on Friday as Russian troops surrounded the city. In Zhytomyr in the north, a school was destroyed by a rocket, causing it to collapse, according to CNN.

NATO continues to oppose Zelensky’s pleas for a no-fly zone over the country, fearing that shooting down Russian jets to enforce it would only give Putin more reason to attack, possibly reacting with Russia’s arsenal of nuclear weapons. “NATO will defend all its allies and territory against a Russian attack,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday at NATO headquarters in Brussels. “Our alliance is a defensive alliance. We are not seeking conflict. But if conflict comes our way, we are ready and will defend every inch of NATO territory.” Ukraine is of course not yet part of that area.

Negotiations on Thursday led to Russia promising a limited humanitarian corridor to get supplies in and get civilians out, but Zelensky on Friday expressed little confidence that Russia would stick to the deal’s end. “Today we will see if the agreement works,” said Zelensky, clearly unconvinced.

Third assassination attempt on Zelensky fails as Putin unleashes ‘nuclear terror’