President Zelensky orders a major revamp of Ukraine’s state guard service following allegations of assassination plots. Amid Russian missile strikes, a Kremlin-U.S. blame game, and tragedy in Moscow, the EU pledges significant support to Ukraine, showcasing the complexities of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Ukraine’s State Guard Undergoes Major Purge Amid Alleged Assassination Plots
Kyiv, Ukraine – June 24, 2024: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered a significant overhaul of Ukraine’s state guard service following allegations that two of its officers plotted to assassinate senior officials. The State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced last month that two colonels were allegedly cooperating with Russia to target President Zelensky, military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, and other officials.
Zelensky introduced Colonel Oleksiy Morozov as the new head of the state guard service. His primary mission is to ensure the agency comprises individuals committed to Ukraine’s interests. Morozov’s appointment came after former head Serhiy Rud was dismissed in May, shortly after the SBU detained employees accused of leaking classified information to Russia’s Federal Security Service.
Pokrovsk, Ukraine: On the same day, Russian missile strikes claimed at least four lives and injured 34 others, including children, in the eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk, according to regional governor Vadym Filashkin. The twin Iskander-M ballistic missile attacks destroyed one private house and damaged 16 others, alongside a gas pipeline and several vehicles.
Crimea Incident: The Kremlin blamed the United States for a missile attack on Crimea that killed at least four people and injured 151. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused the U.S. of supplying and aiming the missiles and providing targeting data.
Moscow Fire: In another development, at least eight people perished in a fire at an eight-story former electronics research institute building in Fryazino, near Moscow. Two individuals jumped to their deaths to escape the blaze, and six others died when parts of the building collapsed. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
EU Support for Ukraine: Meanwhile, the European Union agreed to allocate €1.4 billion from the profits of frozen Russian assets for arms and aid to Ukraine. Despite Hungary’s opposition, EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell stated that unanimity was not required for this decision.
These events highlight the ongoing tensions and complexities of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with significant geopolitical and humanitarian implications.
(Note: This article is factual and intended for a general audience, providing a neutral perspective on recent developments in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and related EU actions.)