Ukraine's Successful Operations Have Spooked The Kremlin

Ukrainian security services demonstrate a high level of professionalism and the ability to work proactively.

Russia continues to turn into a terrorist state not only in words but also in deeds. Recent events in Ukraine clearly demonstrate that the Kremlin is resorting to terrorist methods in an attempt to avenge its failures on the frontline by assassinating its own generals. Another confirmation of this is the prevented by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) order for the assassination of the well-known activist Serhiy Sternenko.

As it became known on May 1, the SBU prevented an attempt on Sternenko's life. The attack was planned with the use of firearms, and the perpetrator was to be a woman recruited by Russian special services. The attack was to take place at the exit from the activist's house in Kiev. According to the SBU, the Russians tried to disguise the murder as a domestic conflict.

Thanks to the prompt actions of the Ukrainian counterintelligence, the attacker was detained. Sternenko himself reported about it, having published a video of an armed woman aiming a pistol at him, as well as the moment of detention. He emphasized that the SBU prevented his murder.

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klimenko confirmed the information and noted that the detainee was a Ukrainian citizen who had previously performed reconnaissance missions for the Russians, and this time was to "eliminate the target."

This episode cannot be perceived as an isolated case. It becomes part of a broader trend: Russia, without improving its position on the front even at the cost of huge losses, resorts to classic terrorist techniques.

The response is scare tactics: strikes on civilian infrastructure, drone attacks, rocket attacks on residential neighborhoods, and now direct orders to kill civilian activists inside Ukraine.

The well-known volunteer Sergey Pritula, commenting on the situation with the assassination attempt on Sternenko, emphasized that this is a direct response to the successful liquidation of Russian officers.

Russia is increasingly acting along the lines of ISIS: the bet is on fear, chaos, intimidation of active citizens, and blackmail of civilians. The Kremlin wants to convince Ukrainians that for every strike of the AFU on the front, there will be revenge in the rear. However, such actions do not frighten the Ukrainian society, but only strengthen the determination to fight and defend themselves.

The Security Service of Ukraine and other special services of Ukraine demonstrate a high level of professionalism and the ability to work proactively. Thanks to their actions, another political assassination, which Russia obviously hoped to use in its information war, did not take place.

The attempted assassination of Serhiy Sternenko is not just a failed attack. It is proof: Russia has officially entered the phase of a terrorist state, which operates by the methods of special services, saboteurs and assassins. Each successful Ukrainian strike against the enemy on the frontline causes hysteria in the Kremlin and provokes new waves of violence against peaceful activists, volunteers and community leaders.

Petr Oleshchuk, Doctor of Political Science, professor at Taras Shevchenko National University, specially for Charter97.org.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail [email protected]