Russia denies poisoning the wife of Ukrainian intelligence chief.

The Kremlin has rejected accusations that Russia was behind the poisoning of the wife of Ukrainian intelligence chief Budanov with a heavy metal.

"Ukraine blames Russia for every problem it faces. As far as I can see, they even claim that Russia is to blame for Ukraine's existence. Therefore, these are just routine accusations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on November 29.

Peskov's comments came after Andriy Yusov, spokesman for the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR), confirmed on November 28 that Marianna Budanova, wife of GUR leader Kyrylo Budanov, had been poisoned with a heavy metal, and that Kyiv's main hypothesis was that Moscow was behind the incident.

Meanwhile, Russian media have put forward several theories about the incident. One of them suggests that Mrs. Budanova had a clandestine relationship with her husband's subordinate, or that Mr. Budanova himself was the culprit in order to continue his romantic relationship with an MI6 officer. Ukraine has not commented on these rumors.

Marianna Budanova and Kyrylo Budanov. Photo: euronews — Marianna Budanova and Kyrylo Budanov. Photo: *euronews*

Budanova, 30, discovered she had been poisoned when she went for a medical check-up after feeling unwell for a long time. Valeriy Kondratyuk, a former leader of the GUR, said doctors found arsenic and mercury in her body.

Ukrainian intelligence sources suggest that the poison may have been added to Ms. Budanova's food, and that several GUR (General Security of Health) personnel were also poisoned. Ms. Budanova "is feeling better" and is receiving treatment at a hospital in Ukraine. The heavy metals detected "are not used in any form in daily life, therefore this could be an assassination attempt."

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is investigating the incident. It is currently unclear whether the real target of the poisoning was Ms. Budanova or Mr. Budanov.

In September, Mr. Budanov stated that Ms. Budanova had moved in with him at his office in Kyiv since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The two also frequently travel together for security reasons. Ms. Budanova holds a master's degree in psychology and later entered politics, serving as an advisor to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko since June 2021.

Budanov, 37, graduated from the Odessa Army Academy in 2007 and subsequently joined the special forces of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. In August 2020, Budanov was appointed head of the GUR by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Budanov played a crucial role in Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russian forces. The GUR leader is also believed to be behind several attacks on the Crimean Peninsula and Russian territory. The Russian Investigative Committee announced in absentia in early October that Budanov had been indicted.

By Như Tâm (According to TASS, euronews )

Source link