Ukrainian lawmaker says Moscow killing of Russian general was 'good work by our intelligence services'
Roman Kostenko, the secretary of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Committee on National Security, said in an interview published Monday that the assassination of Russian General Yaroslav Moskalik in Moscow last week was “good work” by Ukraine’s intelligence services.
“What can I say? I’m pleased — this was good work by our intelligence services,” Kostenko said in response to a question about the “elimination” of high-ranking figures in Russia’s national security establishment, including Moskalik.
Even if we reach a ceasefire soon, the work of our intelligence services will only be beginning. Targeting and eliminating criminals who fired on civilians, launched missiles, analyzed targets, made decisions, and gave orders will be one of their main tasks. Developing the Ukrainian Security Service in this direction will be a priority for the next 10, 20, 30 years — however long it takes.
It’s unclear whether Kostenko was expressing his personal opinion or speaking on behalf of the Verkhovna Rada’s Committee on National Security. The Ukrainian Security Service has not commented on his remarks.
Russian media and state agencies interpreted Kostenko’s comments as an admission that Kyiv was behind Moskalik’s killing. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova posted the quote from Kostenko without context on her Telegram channel, commenting: “The Kyiv regime has become a full-fledged terrorist cell, fueled internationally with weapons and money.”
On Monday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had been briefed by the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service on the “elimination of individuals from the top ranks of the Russian Armed Forces.” He did not specify whom Ukrainian intelligence had eliminated.
