"Vladimir Putin will die soon, that's a fact" (V.Zelensky)

Last Wednesday, on the eve of the summit of Ukraine's allies in Paris, Volodymyr Zelensky declared that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, would "die soon" as opposed to himself who is "younger". 

During an interview with four European journalists, the Ukrainian president emphasised that Putin could “end this war before dying”. He added: “I'm younger than him, so bet on me!”. 

However, caution should be exercised... Since Zelensky has already been the target of several assassination attempts since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022. In March 2024, Ukrainian authorities claimed to have foiled a Russian plot to kill the Ukrainian leader and several key military officials, who play an essential role in the resistance of Kyiv, reports 20 Minutes. 

A network of agents ready to kill the Ukrainian leader

In a statement, the Ukrainian security service (SBU) announced the dismantling of a "network of agents" of the Russian security services (FSB), who were planning and organising Zelensky's assassination. Two Ukrainian officers were part of the network. Following this announcement, the Ukrainian president dismissed Sergei Leonidovich Rud, the head of his personal security, from his position as head of the State Protection Department of Ukraine.

Furthermore, in April 2024, the Polish prosecutor's office stated that a man identified as Pawel K. had been arrested in Poland. His mission was to “collect and provide information to the military intelligence services of the Russian Federation […], including assisting the Russian secret services in planning a potential assassination attempt on a foreign head of state, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky”.

(MH with Manon Pierre - Source: 20 Minutes - Picture: ©picture alliance/dpa/MAXPPP | Julien Mattia / Le Pictorium)