Two officers with the rank of colonel have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in an assassination plot, according to an announcement by Ukrainian security officials. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated that the network behind the plot was working in coordination with Russian agents and had targeted Ukrainian Prime Minister and chief of staff among others.

The information that led to the thwarting of the assassination plot was gathered through wiretapping and interrogations of suspects, Ukrainian security officials reported. President Zelensky’s office confirmed that he is aware of the reports and that his security has been increased in response to the threat.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there have been concerns for President Zelensky’s safety, as he has become the face of Ukrainian resistance. While there have been previous reports of assassination attempts against him, this latest threat is considered the most significant by Ukrainian authorities. The Kremlin has yet to respond to Ukraine’s claims of the assassination plan attributed to Russian security services.