FSB Claims Disruption of Ukraines Assassination Scheme Against Prominent Orthodox Bishop

The Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) announced on Friday that it had disrupted a plot allegedly ordered by Ukrainian forces to assassinate Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov, a prominent bishop within the Russian Orthodox Church who has strong connections to President Vladimir Putin.

Shevkunov, frequently referred to in the media as «Putin’s confessor,» has had a personal relationship with the Russian president since the 1990s and is a member of his cultural and arts advisory council. He was appointed as Metropolitan of Crimea in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine.

The FSB reported the apprehension of a Ukrainian national and a Russian citizen in Moscow on suspicion of conspiring to carry out the attack, claiming they had been «recruited by Ukraine’s GUR intelligence agency via Telegram.»

The state-run news agency TASS identified the individuals as Denis Popovich, an assistant to Shevkunov, and another cleric, Nikita Ivankovich.

As per TASS, the two men allegedly received an improvised explosive device in December and intended to place it in the living quarters of Moscow’s Sretensky Monastery during a visit from Shevkunov. Reports suggest that they planned to escape Moscow using fake passports after the attack.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov characterized the alleged conspiracy as further proof that «the Kyiv regime is willing to go to any lengths. In this case, nothing is considered sacred.»

Video released by the Russian military broadcaster Zvezda appeared to capture the security forces taking the suspects into custody, including one being carried to a van and another lying face down in handcuffs. Additional footage purportedly showed them confessing to their plot.

There has been no response from Ukraine regarding the accusations.

In recent years, various figures aligned with or supportive of the Kremlin have been targeted in attacks, with Moscow attributing most of these incidents to Kyiv, including the December assassination of General Igor Kirillov.