Heavy Metals Poisoning of Ukraine Intelligence Chief's Wife
The wife of Ukraine's intelligence chief has been diagnosed with heavy metals poisoning and is undergoing treatment in a hospital, a spokesperson for the agency said Tuesday.
Marianna Budanova is the wife of Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency known by its local acronym GUR. Her poisoning was confirmed by the agency's spokesperson.
Further details about the alleged poisoning and the potential culprits were not provided.
"Their presence may indicate a deliberate poisoning attempt," it said.
Reports of Assassination Attempts Common
Earlier this year, the spokesperson told Ukrainian media that Budanov had survived 10 assassination attempts carried out by the FSB, the Russian state security service.
Previously, it was reported that Budanov's wife resides with him in his office, indicating that he may have been the intended target of the poisoning.
According to local media sources in GUR, Budanova is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Kyiv.
The specific type of heavy metals responsible for the poisoning has not been disclosed to the public. However, local media suggests that these metals are not commonly used domestically or in military equipment, leading GUR representatives to believe that the poisoning was deliberate, possibly through the consumption of contaminated food or drink.
In addition to Budanova, several other GUR personnel have also been diagnosed with the same poisoning. GUR is expected to release an official statement with more information.
In an interview with the British tabloid The Sun last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that he has survived "no fewer" than five or six assassination attempts since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year.
"The initial experience is quite intriguing, similar to the first encounter with Covid," shared Zelenskyy with the Sun. "In the beginning, people are unsure how to handle it and it appears extremely daunting. However, afterwards, it becomes a matter of exchanging intelligence, informing you that yet another group has arrived in Ukraine to [attempt] this."
