Marianna Budanova, the wife of Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, has been poisoned, plunging Kiev into a state of alarm.
Ukrainian investigators are pointing fingers at Russia, citing the use of highly toxic substances such as mercury and arsenic in what appears to be an assassination effort aimed at the heart of Kiev’s leadership, The Moscow Times has revealed.
Marianna Budanova, advisor to Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko, was hospitalized after a significant deterioration in her health, which raised suspicions of “foul play,” according to the Russian English-language media, however, the woman did not lose her life.
For his part, Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov revealed that the “main hypothesis” is Russian involvement, and emphasized that the target was the wife due to the impossibility of communicating directly with the commander.
Nature of Budanova poisoning
Reports indicate the use of mercury and arsenic, highly toxic substances not commonly associated with daily life or military affairs. The presence of these substances raises fears of a deliberate poisoning attempt.
The investigation, described as an “attempted assassination,” is ongoing and other GUR (Ukrainian military intelligence) employees are reportedly receiving treatment for suspected poisoning.
While Ukrainian authorities affirm their belief in Russian involvement, there has been no immediate comment from Russian authorities. The incident adds to existing tensions between the two nations, with Russia previously accused of poisoning attacks, vehemently denied by the Kremlin.
History of poisoning attacks in Russia
The use of poison as a means of attack has historical precedent, notably the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in the United Kingdom in 2018. This incident underlines the seriousness of the accusations against Russia and the potential impact on diplomatic relations.
Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, assassination attempts have become a grim reality. Pro-Russian officials and Kremlin supporters have faced targeted attacks since the large-scale invasion of Moscow in February.
Marianna Budanova’s military intelligence unit, led by her husband, is renowned for its sabotage attacks against Russia behind the front lines.
Officials reveal that more than 10 assassination attempts against Budanova have been thwarted. A highly respected figure in Ukraine, Budanova’s unit is credited with carrying out sabotage attacks against Russia. Moscow accused the GUR of orchestrating the October 2022 explosions on the Kerch Bridge, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
Marianna Budanova’s husband, head of military intelligence, highlighted the security measures in place and stated that his wife had been living with him “in his office” for security reasons since the start of the invasion in August.
The incident raises questions about the safety of key figures in kyiv and potential ripple effects in the broader geopolitical landscape. It is unknown if the Ukrainian government has taken special measures to safeguard the safety of these figures.
As the investigation unfolds, the international community is watching closely, aware of the possible ramifications of this alleged assassination attempt on the wife of Ukraine’s military intelligence chief.
Keep reading:
· Attack by Ukrainian troops leaves five senior Russian officials dead while holding a meeting
· Russia and Ukraine face powerful storm: 1.9 million people without electricity
· Russia issues court order against Meta spokesperson Andy Stone amid repression on social media