Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has taken decisive action following the detention of two high-ranking officials from his personal protection unit over an alleged assassination plot. Serhiy Rud, who has overseen the president’s security detail since 2019, has been relieved of his duties without explanation, as per a succinct presidential decree.
The State Guard Administration (UDO) plays a pivotal role in safeguarding not just the president but also other prominent figures in Ukraine and their families. The two colonels apprehended on Tuesday, suspected of involvement in a network associated with Russia’s FSB security service, had connections that raised alarm.
Although President Zelensky has previously voiced concerns about Russian assassination schemes targeting him, this latest development implicates individuals within his inner circle. The plot extended beyond Zelensky to also include Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of military intelligence, and Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the SBU state security service.
Reports suggest that the conspiracy involved plans to abduct and assassinate President Zelensky, while Budanov was to be targeted with sophisticated weaponry. Notably, there is no indication of Serhiy Rud’s involvement in these allegations, although one of the detained colonels, Andriy Huk, had a personal connection with him dating back to their time at the border troops academy.
Major General Rud has devoted much of his adult life to Ukraine’s military, with a focus on state security. Since the attempted infiltration and assassination plot by Russian paratroopers during the initial stages of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, threats against President Zelensky’s life have been a recurring concern.
President Zelensky’s proactive approach to security challenges has seen frequent changes in key positions within Ukraine’s security apparatus. Notably, the recent announcement of the reassignment of Colonel Serhiy Lupanchuk, the commander of special forces, underscores the ongoing efforts to fortify Ukraine’s defenses.
General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who led Ukraine’s defense efforts during the early stages of Russia’s invasion, has been appointed as Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK and honored with the title “Hero of Ukraine,” following his replacement earlier this year.
