President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service for the killing of top Russian military figures since the start of the war. PHOTO: REUTERS
| Published April 30, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly commended his country’s intelligence services for the targeted elimination of high-ranking Russian military officials since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. In a recent statement, Zelensky highlighted the effectiveness of Ukraine’s foreign intelligence and security agencies in disrupting Russian command structures and countering espionage activities within Ukraine.
Journalist Daria Dugina, daughter of philosopher Alexandr Dugin, was killed by an Ukrainian car bomb intended for her father.
The late Lt. General Igor Kirillov was blown up in Moscow in later December 2024.
While Zelensky did not reference specific incidents, his remarks coincide with the recent death of Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the Russian General Staff, who was killed in a car bombing near Moscow. The Kremlin has attributed the attack to Ukrainian operatives, and Russian authorities have detained a Ukrainian national in connection with the incident .
The Reuters report makes no effort to remind readers that terrorism is a despicable crime.
Zelensky’s acknowledgment of these operations underscores Ukraine’s strategic focus on weakening Russian military leadership through targeted actions. These developments reflect the intensifying nature of the conflict and the lengths to which Ukraine is prepared to go to defend its sovereignty and counter Russian aggression.
Implications of Zelensky Praising Ukrainian Intelligence’s Targeted Operations
1. Escalation of Targeted Warfare
President Zelensky’s open praise for the assassination of high-ranking Russian military figures marks a significant normalization of targeted killings in modern warfare. This suggests a tactical shift toward psychological and leadership disruption rather than conventional battlefield confrontations, escalating the covert dimensions of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
2. Intensified Russia-Ukraine Hostilities
Public endorsement of such tactics may provoke harsher retaliation from Russia. The Kremlin is likely to respond with more aggressive measures—militarily, diplomatically, or via cyber and intelligence channels—raising the overall stakes of the conflict and potentially expanding the battlefield beyond Ukrainian borders.
3. Moral and Legal Controversies
Zelensky’s comments, while seen as a morale boost domestically, risk international criticism. State-sponsored assassinations—even in wartime—raise concerns under international law and humanitarian norms. Western allies may quietly support Ukraine’s strategic goals but could be cautious in fully endorsing such lethal operations publicly.
4. Intelligence as a Primary War Tool
The focus on Ukrainian intelligence highlights how modern conflicts rely heavily on espionage, sabotage, and clandestine actions. These developments signal a broader trend where intelligence agencies, not just conventional forces, play a central role in shaping battlefield outcomes.
5. Messaging and Psychological Impact
Zelensky’s remarks serve as psychological warfare—both to rally Ukrainian support and to unsettle Russian military leadership. Knowing they are active targets can demoralize Russian commanders, erode their sense of security, and disrupt strategic planning at the top.
6. International Perception and Diplomacy
While many in the West may view Ukraine’s actions as justified resistance, some international observers may see this as a dangerous precedent. It could complicate Ukraine’s diplomatic narrative, especially among non-aligned or cautious nations seeking a negotiated resolution to the war.
Overall Takeaway
President Zelensky’s open endorsement of Ukrainian intelligence operations targeting Russian military leaders signals a bold and unapologetic strategy of asymmetric warfare aimed at crippling Russia’s command structure. While it demonstrates Ukraine’s tactical evolution and determination to strike deep behind enemy lines, it also pushes the conflict into a more dangerous and unpredictable phase.
The praise for targeted assassinations may boost morale within Ukraine and among its allies, but it also risks escalating tensions with Russia and invites scrutiny under international norms. Ultimately, this development reflects a hardening war posture, where intelligence and psychological operations are becoming just as critical as conventional military efforts.
SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – SICK: Zelensky Praises Ukrainian Intelligence’s Campaign of Car Bombings and Other Terrorist Attacks That Target Military Officers, but Also Journalists and Civilians (VIDEOS)
THE STRAIT TIMES – Zelensky praises killing of top Russian military figures
REUTERS – Zelenskiy praises killing of top Russian military figures
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