Ukraine’s Security Service Prevented Russian Terror Attack in Kyiv, Thwarting Plot to Kill Officials

At the “Ukraine. Year 2025” forum, Vasyl Malyuk, head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), revealed that Russian intelligence services had planned a terrorist attack in a Kyiv construction hypermarket, aiming to cause mass casualties and target high-ranking officials.

According to Malyuk, the attack was planned for peak hours after 6 p.m., when the hypermarket, owned by a French company, would be crowded. Explosive devices were to be placed near flammable materials to maximize damage. Ukrainian security services acted preemptively, gathering evidence and preventing the attack.

“They planned a terrorist attack in a construction hypermarket in Kyiv, owned by a French company—I won’t name it. During peak hours, after 6 p.m., when the store is full of people, explosive devices were meant to detonate in areas with flammable substances,” Maliuk stated.

He also disclosed that Russia’s military intelligence (GRU) planned an assassination attempt on him, similar to previous plots against President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defense Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov. Over the past three years, the SBU has dismantled 102 enemy intelligence networks, some directly involved in targeting Ukrainian leadership.