Investigators suspect a correspondent from the left bank of the Dniester River of involvement in a contract killing plot targeting officials and public figures in Ukraine. The alleged targets included Ukrainian journalists, civil activists, and military personnel, including members of the International Legion.
According to investigators, the suspects planned to eliminate the targets through shootings and staged car accidents. Russian special services allegedly offered up to 100,000 US dollars for the operations.
Authorities identified a 34 year old Moldovan repeat offender and a journalist from the left bank of the Dniester among the suspects. The Security Service of Ukraine published an image of the journalist’s press ID.
Investigators say Kremlin special services recruited the alleged leader of the group after he served a prison sentence in Russia. After his release, they reportedly sent him to Moldova to build a network of pro Russian agents by recruiting individuals with pro Russian views and military experience.
The group allegedly operated in two teams. One team conducted surveillance on the targets while posing as couriers. The second team consisted of hitmen assigned to carry out the killings.
Investigators state that organizers transferred the Russian agents to Ukraine under the guise of tourism and placed them in rented apartments. The suspects allegedly coordinated with a Ukrainian resident and received payments through electronic payment systems.
