Ukraine's security forces have thwarted a significant coup attempt aimed at destabilizing the government in Kyiv. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the plotters intended to incite riots on June 30 to distract and seize control of the Ukrainian Parliament, ultimately removing the current military and political leadership from power.
The SBU has identified four suspects, with two already detained, and confiscated weapons, ammunition, and electronic devices containing evidence of the planned coup. The suspects, if convicted, could face up to ten years in prison. The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine revealed that the coup plotter had rented a large venue and hired military personnel and armed guards from private companies to execute the takeover.
The investigation disclosed that the group's leader has been involved in anti-Ukrainian activities since 2015. The plotters aimed to stage a public gathering disguised as a 'veche' (people's assembly) to create chaos and spread misinformation, hoping to destabilize the social and political situation in Ukraine to Russia's advantage.
This coup attempt comes amidst ongoing Russian military advances in Ukraine, with recent missile attacks killing civilians in southern cities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for expedited decisions on long-range weapon supplies to defend against Russian aggression.
The situation is further complicated by uncertainties surrounding future US military support for Ukraine, especially with the potential return of Donald Trump to the presidency. Trump's recent comments questioning US aid to Ukraine have raised concerns among Ukrainian officials.
- The Ukrainian authorities have been vigilant against internal threats, especially those with potential ties to Russia. The government district in Kyiv has been heavily secured since the Russian invasion in February 2022, and martial law has restricted the right to demonstrate.
- Russian espionage activities are not limited to Ukraine. Recently, three suspected Russian spies were arrested in Frankfurt, indicating an increase in Russian intelligence operations across Europe. The EU is considering further restricting the travel freedom of Russian diplomats to limit their scope of action.
