The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is increasingly defined by a dangerous shadow war involving targeted killings and covert operations. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed today that it successfully thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to assassinate a senior Russian government official near Moscow.
According to the FSB, Ukrainian agents were allegedly planning the attack to coincide with the official’s visit to the graves of his relatives outside Moscow. The FSB further claimed that Ukraine is preparing to carry out more such attacks inside Russia. However, Ukraine’s Security Service vehemently denied these accusations, stating that Russia is “constantly fabricating fake news” as part of its propaganda war.
Civilian Casualties and Counter-Attacks
This claim comes as Kyiv was once again subjected to heavy Russian air strikes. Ukrainian officials reported that the latest attacks killed at least four people and injured 27 others, including two children and a pregnant woman. The strikes damaged over 15 buildings and a medical center across various parts of the city.
In a retaliatory strike, a Ukrainian drone attack successfully damaged an oil depot in the Russian port city of Novorossiysk, injuring four people.
Surge in Targeted Killings
Monitoring group ACLED data indicates a significant increase in targeted killings within Russia, noting that the number of such incidents in the first three quarters of 2025 has exceeded the total count for the previous three years combined. In recent months, several Russian officials have been killed in car bombings and covert operations, some of which were later claimed by Ukrainian entities. Conversely, Kyiv has also reported the killing of its security personnel, which it blames on Russian agencies, underscoring the lethal escalation of the hidden conflict.
