A Ukrainian intelligence officer has been killed, according to local news agencies, citing information from the Russian security services. The officer, identified as Rustem Fakhriev, was a colonel in Ukraine's military intelligence agency. He was reportedly eliminated on May 18. Fakhriev had been on the wanted list for his alleged involvement in a thwarted terrorist attack in Russia's Crimea.
The Russian Federal Security Service had previously accused Fakhriev of organizing a failed assassination attempt against a high-ranking Russian officer in Crimea. The attempt occurred on December 1, 2025, and involved a Ukrainian national who was recruited by Fakhriev. The individual was killed in a gunfight with Russian security forces while trying to plant an explosive device on the officer's car.
An accomplice was also detained and charged with terrorism in connection with the failed assassination attempt. Fakhriev's actions had led to him being added to a list of extremists and terrorists by Russia's financial watchdog. His addition to the list was a result of his alleged involvement in terrorist activities, including the attempted assassination of a high-ranking Russian officer.
The killing of Fakhriev marks a significant development in the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming days. The incident highlights the ongoing conflict and tensions between the two nations, with both sides accusing each other of involvement in terrorist activities.
