Russian Involvement in Farion Assassination Not Ruled Out, Zelensky Says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has hinted that Russia may have been involved in the assassination of Ukrainian MP and former defense minister, Andriy Farion, who was killed in a car bomb attack in Kiev on Monday.
Farion, a prominent figure in Ukrainian politics, was killed when his car exploded in the city’s Pechersky district. The attack has sent shockwaves through Ukraine and has raised concerns about the safety of public figures in the country.
Zelensky, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, said that while the investigation into the assassination was ongoing, there were "indications" that Russia may have been involved in the attack.
"We are investigating all possible versions of what happened, including the possibility of Russian involvement," Zelensky said. "We will not rule out any options until we have concrete evidence."
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has launched an investigation into the attack, and has already identified several suspects. However, Zelensky’s comments suggest that the authorities are considering the possibility that Russia may have been involved in the assassination.
Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the attack, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling the allegations "baseless" and "unfounded".
Farion was a vocal critic of Russia and had been involved in efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities. His assassination has been widely condemned by Ukrainian politicians and civil society organizations, who have called for a thorough investigation into the attack.
The attack has also raised concerns about the safety of public figures in Ukraine, particularly those who have been critical of Russia. Ukraine has faced a number of high-profile assassinations and attacks in recent years, many of which have been linked to Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Zelensky’s comments about Russian involvement in the assassination come at a time of heightened tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The two countries have been engaged in a bitter conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014, and relations have deteriorated further in recent months over issues such as Ukraine’s membership in international organizations and the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The investigation into Farion’s assassination is ongoing, and it is unclear at this time whether Russia will be formally accused of involvement. However, Zelensky’s comments suggest that the authorities are taking the possibility of Russian involvement seriously, and are working to uncover the truth behind the attack.