Russian Spy Teen Mailed Poison to Soldiers

Ukrainian police announced on Friday that they have detained a 17-year-old girl in Zhytomyr, a city located west of Kyiv. Authorities allege the teenager acted on behalf of Russian security services to poison Ukrainian military personnel. Two soldiers have died as a result of the scheme.

The suspect was promised at least 5,000 hryvnias, approximately $111, for her role in the operation. Police stated she followed specific instructions from a Russian handler. Her duties included packaging the substances and coordinating with recipients through the messaging app Telegram.

Investigators revealed that the soldiers received parcels containing capsules. The packages were labeled as free drugs. The recipients were instructed to take the medication on camera. Police confirmed the capsules contained a lethal dose of methadone. The two victims died in the Zhytomyr region.

The suspect faces charges for aiding and abetting premeditated murder as part of a prior conspiracy. She is also suspected of shipping drugs and psychotropic substances for distribution. If found guilty, she could face up to 15 years in prison. Investigators have identified four other recipients of the packages, a move that prevented four additional murders across the country.

Police warned that the operation aims to destabilize the situation within Ukraine. They urged the public to avoid accepting food, drinks, or medication from unknown sources. Ukrainian and Russian forces have accused each other of recruiting minors for sabotage since the war began in 2022. Authorities have opened thousands of investigations into collaboration with Moscow.

Poisoning cases have emerged in recent years. In 2023, Ukrainian officials accused Russia of poisoning the wife of Kyrylo Budanov, then head of military intelligence. Several GUR personnel were diagnosed with the same condition. That same year, Paris prosecutors investigated the poisoning of a Russian journalist who had publicly opposed the war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told The Sun that he has survived at least five or six assassination attempts since the invasion.