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2mo ago

Russia Alleges Foiled Plot to Assassinate Senior Putin-Linked Cleric

FSB claims Ukrainian intelligence recruited two suspects to target Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov, but Kyiv denies involvement.

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Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov, newly appointed head of the Crimean Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church, conducts a service at a cathedral in Simferopol, Crimea, October 21, 2023. REUTERS/Alexey Pavlishak/File Photo
Russian Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov, known as President Vladimir Putin's confessor, speaking at a news conference on the opening of the Novy (New) Khersones church museum complex in the city of Sevastopol, Republic of Crimea, on July 23, 2024.
Tikhon Shevkunov has become known as “Putin’s confessor” because of his closeness to the Russian president

Overview

  • Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says it prevented an assassination attempt on Tikhon Shevkunov, a senior Russian Orthodox cleric closely linked to President Vladimir Putin.
  • Two suspects, one Ukrainian and one Russian, were arrested and accused of plotting to plant an explosive device in Shevkunov's Moscow quarters at the Sretensky Monastery.
  • The FSB claims the suspects were recruited by Ukrainian military intelligence via Telegram in 2024 and had fake Ukrainian passports for escape after the attack.
  • Videos released by Russian authorities show the suspects confessing to the plot under unclear circumstances, with one alleging threats to his family if he refused to participate.
  • Ukraine has dismissed the accusations as baseless, stating its military operations adhere to international rules, while skepticism surrounds Russia's claims given past allegations of fabricated plots.