Ahmed Zakayev commented for the first time on the assassination attempt against him and said whether he would return to Ukraine
Ahmed Zakayev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (in exile), has commented for the first time on the high-profile scandal surrounding the plot to assassinate him. This incident sparked a public showdown between the Ukrainian security services—the SBU and the GUR.
Zakayev also spoke about the situation with his security detail. According to him, it had been changing: “Some strange things were happening regarding my security: sometimes it was scaled back, and other times it was beefed up.”
According to Ahmed Zakayev, he learned about the plot against him and the likely role of Andriy Kaplunov, deputy commander of the “Russian Volunteer Corps” unit, only after he had left Ukraine. Ukrainian law enforcement officials did not brief him on the details of the investigation.
“I know nothing about this; I wasn’t actually briefed on these details. All of this became known from the press after I had already left Ukraine—I was there from the 20th to the 31st,” the politician noted.
At the same time, Zakayev recalled that during his visit to Kyiv, there were some strange developments regarding his security: “During that period, some strange things happened related to my security detail: sometimes they’d reduce it, and other times they’d increase it. But I didn’t have—and still don’t have—any specific details.”
Zakayev also added that his Ukrainian friends, who organized the trip, also do not have precise information, and they did not discuss such sensitive issues over the phone.
Despite the seriousness of the situation and the conflict between Ukrainian agencies over this matter, Ahmed Zakayev stated that the incident would in no way affect his future work or visits to Kyiv.
“Of course, this doesn’t change anything. I’ve been prepared for this from the very beginning, so there have been no changes in either my plans or my work,” he emphasized.
Zakayev stressed that he has been under constant threat of elimination by the Kremlin for the past 30 years. In his view, if he were to begin limiting his activities or avoiding travel, it would mean a victory for the Russian security services.
“Putin’s and Russia’s main goal is to neutralize me: to silence me, physically eliminate me, or politically neutralize me. My silence or any restriction on my work would, in fact, mean that Putin and the Russian security services have achieved their goals. I will not go along with that, and I will continue to do everything I have been doing, regardless of the circumstances,” Zakayev concluded.
In an interview with “Glavkom,” the Chechen leader revealed details of his stay in Kyiv and answered whether he plans to visit Ukraine again.
The SBU announced that an assassination attempt against Akhmed Zakayev was being planned, and that a suspect has been identified.
Video: Yermolayev stated that the attempt on his life could have been organized for money by people linked to the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR).
As a reminder, following the explosion in Monaco, Yermolayev accused the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the assassination attempt.
The body of a woman who may have been the hitman for businessman Yermolayev was found near Kyiv.
The SBU has restored the deleted video of the assassination attempt on Yermolayev in Monaco.
