SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych, 50, was shot dead by a masked assassin in Kyiv
Share this @internewscast.com

VLADIMIR Putin’s associates have openly celebrated the bold assassination of the Ukrainian intelligence chief in broad daylight, strongly suggesting the Russian leader’s involvement.

Colonel Ivan Voronich, head of an SBU Special Operations Centre, was executed by a gunman using a pistol with a silencer. This incident has triggered a widespread manhunt after the assassin disappeared into Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.

SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych, 50, was shot dead by a masked assassin in Kyiv
SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych, 50, lies dead in a car park after being assassinated
Security camera footage of people near parked cars.
Voronych, circled, the moment before he is shot and collapses against a carCredit: East2West
Security camera footage of a man carrying a bag walking up steps, with parked cars visible in the background.
Voronych had just left his block of flats with shopping bagsCredit: East2West
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting on education issues at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 10, 2025. (Photo by MIKHAIL METZEL / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MIKHAIL METZEL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Putin holds a meeting on education issues at the Kremlin in Moscow todayCredit: AFP
Illustration of a map detailing a Ukrainian drone operation against Russian airbases.

Voronich is understood to have plotted sensitive missions made to thwart Vladimir Putin’s war machine – as well as embarrass the Russian tyrant.

Now pro-Putin media sites are claiming Moscow’s special services assassinated the Ukrainian colonel – and revelling in it.

There is a strong belief that Putin personally ordered these revenge attacks after feeling embarrassed by the significant success of Operation Spiderweb in June, which led to the destruction of Russian warplanes valued at £5.2 billion.

Ukrainian SBU agents smuggled drones on trucks to within striking distance of air bases and launched incredible simultaneous remotely controlled attacks.

Moscow news outlet Readovka said Voronych was part of an elite Ukrainian clandestine force which had carried out operations inside Russia.

Readovka said the unit “operates not only as a law enforcement entity but also takes part in highly sensitive operations on Russian territory”.

Another Russian outlet Voenkor Kotenok TG said the colonel had “founded a division that causes problems for Russia”.

And a different pro-Putin propaganda channel boasted: “A fat target. Applause to the liquidators”.

Russian commentator Maksim Kalashnikov said: “In Kyiv, Colonel Voronich, one of the organisers of special operations against us, a chief saboteur, was shot dead.

“Our people have started working.”

Former SBU colonel Roman Chervinsky, once head of the 5th Directorate of the SBU Counterintelligence Department, said Voronych’s killing amounted to a “huge loss”.

He was said to have “initiated a direction in the [SBU] service that is now creating many problems for the Russians.”.

“With five shots at close range, while leaving the apartment, today at 8 am, the enemy killer did his dirty work.”

Colonel Voronich was a senior operative of the 1st Division of the 16th Directorate of the Special Operations Centre.

Footage shows the moment he was killed as he carried bags from a residential building.

He was ambushed by the waiting gunman – who was masked – as a woman fled the scene.

The assassin is then seen running away on video.

Colonel Voronich was a senior operative of the 1st Division of the 16th Directorate of the Special Operations Centre.

Security camera footage of a person running in a parking lot.
The masked assassin fled from the sceneCredit: East2West
Security camera footage of a person running in a parking lot.
Pro-Kremlin media is claiming the hit was organised by Moscow special servicesCredit: East2West

Ukrainian ex-MP Ihor Mosiychuk said: “As a result of the shooting, the victim sustained multiple penetrating gunshot wounds and died at the scene.”

A major manhunt was underway for the alleged assassin.

Ukrainian police said: “All circumstances of the incident are currently being established. Measures are being taken to identify and detain the shooter.”

Putin wants SBU blood after a string of successes exposed the weaknesses in the security of his military machine.

Notable military successes since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 including the sinking of the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, the Moskva, and the bombing of the Kerch Bridge.

A missile attack on Sevastopol harbour the following year also wreaked havoc but the tyrant finally demanded action after Spiderweb decimated his nuclear bomber fleet.

Ukraine’s SBU

EXCLUSIVE by James Halpin, Foreign News Reporter

DEEP behind enemy lines, Ukraine’s special ops unit marked a turning point in modern warfare after drones blitzed Vladimir Putin’s prized bombers beyond repair.

Ukraine’s Security Service – the SBU – is wiping out the Russian tyrant’s war machine with stunning success.

In early June, the SBU’s Operation Spiderweb destroyed a third of Putin’s nuclear bomber fleet.

It set a new high point for Ukraine’s spies – showing incredible ingenuity, reach, and coordination inside a hostile country.

The SBU, led by Vasyl Malyuk, carried out the attack and has proved itself to be one of the best agencies in the world.

Over the three years of the war, the SBU has repeatedly assassinated commanders, bombed key sites, and attacked Putin’s beloved bridge in Crimea.

Despite Russia being larger, stronger, and holding the cards at the start of the war – it is Ukraine who has carried out a string of daring sabotage attacks.

Experts told The Sun why they think Ukraine and the SBU has been able to pull off these attacks – and what they could strike next.

Former MI6 intelligence officer Matthew Dunn said Spiderweb showed the SBU were the best spies in Europe.

He said: “Being an intelligence officer, there’s no static, fixed rule book about what one does.”

One question the world has been left asking is how Ukraine managed to get the drones inside Russia.

The bestselling spy novelist and podcast host at SafeHouse Productions said there is no clear answer.

He said: “The commanders involved in this at high level, they would have been very open-minded about how to get these drones into the country.”

Dunn said SBU spies could have smuggled drones over the border on foot, via parachute, or even a raft – whatever was the safest and easiest way.

He said: “The intelligence operation and the officers involved would have been as creative as possible.

“The issue is, the more people you involve… the higher the risk of compromise.

“Sometimes with these kind of things, risky and daring as they can be, sometimes simplicity is the answer.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
A mob blocks a police cruiser at a street takeover as smoke bombs explode in the background.

Dramatic Footage Captures Masked Individuals Assaulting Police Vehicle with Officer Inside Amid Unauthorized Street Takeover

A dramatic video has emerged depicting masked individuals brazenly assaulting a police…
Long Island granddad peeved after PB4WEGO license plate revoked by DMV

Long Island Grandfather Battles DMV Over Rejected ‘PB4WEGO’ Vanity Plate

A Long Island grandfather finds himself in a bit of a predicament…
Cruise operators to skip Mexican ports over cartel violence

Why Major Cruise Lines Are Steering Clear of Mexican Ports Amid Cartel Chaos

Several major U.S. cruise lines are rerouting their ships away from popular…
Vandals slash tires on 7 NYPD cars at HQ for special team Mamdani pledged to cut: cops

Vandalism Strikes: NYPD Special Team’s Patrol Cars Targeted Amid Controversial Budget Cut Proposal

Authorities reported on Tuesday that vandals targeted seven marked NYPD vehicles, slashing…
President Trump's State of the Union speech breaks time record

President Trump’s Record-Breaking State of the Union: Longest Speech in History Unveiled

President Donald Trump has now set a new benchmark for the longest…
Putin puts 'nuclear triad' on fast track, Zelenskyy claims ‘World War 3’ underway

Putin Accelerates Nuclear Arsenal Development Amid Zelenskyy’s Dire World War 3 Warning

On Monday, President Vladimir Putin underscored the significance of advancing Russia’s nuclear…
AI skills are in demand, but don't always command pay premiums

Unlocking AI Potential: Why High Demand Doesn’t Guarantee Top Dollar Salaries

As the demand for artificial intelligence expertise grows, employers are still hesitant…
Police find human remains in search for beloved grandfather, 85, kidnapped from his Sydney home

Authorities Discover Human Remains in Search for Missing 85-Year-Old Grandfather Abducted from Sydney Residence

Authorities in Sydney’s north believe they have discovered the body of Chris…
Cartel warfare threatens to spill into California as narco-terrorists unleash hell on border city

Rising Cartel Violence Near California Border Sparks Fears of Cross-Border Chaos

The specter of cartel violence looms over California as chaos erupts just…
Terrifying moment father of three is kidnapped, slain and dumped on the highway in mistaken identity

Shocking Case of Mistaken Identity: Father of Three Tragically Kidnapped and Killed

In a harrowing case of mistaken identity, a cherished father of three…
Narcotics expert reveals slain drug kingpin El Mencho's deadly impact on Americans

Narcotics Specialist Unveils El Mencho’s Dangerous Legacy in the U.S.

A prominent former U.S. narcotics official has revealed that the narco-terrorist leader…
Chicago man Andrew Anania sentenced in kidnapping, sexually assaulting drivers at gunpoint; Walter Moran also convicted

Day Care Scandal in Des Plaines: Two Workers Accused of Child Abuse at A Mother’s Touch

In Des Plaines, Illinois, two employees of a day care center are…