Russia denies poisoning of Ukrainian intelligence chief's wife

The Kremlin has denied allegations that Russia was behind the heavy metal poisoning of the wife of Ukrainian intelligence chief Budanov.

"Ukraine blames Russia for all its problems. As far as I can see, they even say that Russia is at fault for Ukraine's existence. So these are just routine accusations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on November 29.

Mr. Peskov commented after the spokesman for the Main Intelligence Directorate of Defense of Ukraine (GUR) Andriy Yusov confirmed on November 28 that Marianna Budanova, wife of GUR leader Kyrylo Budanov, had been poisoned with heavy metals and Kiev's main hypothesis was that Moscow was behind the incident.

Meanwhile, Russian media have put forward several theories about the incident. One of them is that Ms. Budanova had an ambiguous relationship with her husband's subordinates or that Mr. Budanov himself was the culprit so that he could continue his relationship with an employee of the British intelligence agency MI6. Ukraine has not commented on these rumors.

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

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

Ukrainian intelligence sources believe that poison may have been put in Budanova's food and that some GUR employees were also poisoned. Budanova "is feeling better" and is being treated in a Ukrainian hospital. The heavy metals found "are not used in any way in everyday life, so it could be an attempt to assassinate someone".

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry is investigating the incident. It is not yet clear whether the real target of the poisoning was Ms. Budanova or Mr. Budanov.

Mr Budanov said in September that Ms Budanova had moved in with him in his office in the capital Kiev since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in February 2022. The two also frequently traveled together for security reasons. Ms Budanova, who has a master's degree in psychology, entered politics and has been an adviser to Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko since June 2021.

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

Budanov played a key role in Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces. The GUR leadership is believed to have been behind several attacks on Crimea and Russian territory. The Russian Investigative Committee announced its indictment of Budanov in absentia in early October.

Nhu Tam (According to TASS, euronews )

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