Officials in Kyiv revealed they have arrested a woman in connection to a Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while he was visiting Kherson and Mykolaiv last June.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said the woman tried to find out the itinerary of Zelensky's visit to the flood-hit town due to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.
Ukrainian officials regularly accuse local residents near the front lines who support Russia of passing information to Russian military forces or intelligence agents, the BBC reported.
For his part, Zelensky confirmed he had been informed of the arrest and the plot to assassinate him while in Mykolaiv, saying the chief of the SBU updated him about the "fight against traitors."
Meanwhile, Russian officials did not comment on the arrest.
SBU: Woman Arrested in Act of Passing Intel to Russians
In a statement, the SBU said their agents have arrested the woman in her home in Ochakiv, while allegedly in the act of providing intel to Russian forces. They were also made aware of the plot to assassinate Zelensky, prompting them to take security measures to prevent such attacks. The Russians shelled Kherson just hours after his party left the city.
They have also released photo evidence of the arrest inside a home, redacting the faces of both the woman and the arresting agents.
The SBU added the woman was also passing information about the locations of electronic warfare systems and ammunition warehouses which could be targeted by the Russian military.
The agency has not revealed the name and identity of the woman as of this report. She is expected to face charges of unauthorized dissemination of information about the movements of weapons and troops. If found guilty, she could serve up to 12 years in prison.
Zelensky Aide: There Were More Attempts
Meanwhile, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said in March last year Zelensky had survived more than a dozen assassination attempts which the West does not know.
"I believe that there have been more than a dozen such attempts," he told Ukrainska Pravda. "We are constantly receiving intelligence that there are certain reconnaissance groups trying to enter government quarters and the like."
Zelensky himself told CNN in July the Russians were still looking for a chance to kill him, but that would not stop him from visiting and boosting the morale of his countrymen.
"I'm convinced that society has to see if they are at risk, their President is at risk, too - together, with them," he added.
