Mystery as Ukrainian diplomat called a ‘hero’ after being shot for ‘treason’
Mystery surrounds the death of Denis Kireev, a Ukrainian diplomat accused of being a spy by both Ukraine and Russia.
Kireev was one of three agents named in a Facebook statement posted by Ukraine’s defence ministry yesterday (Saturday, March 5) which reads: “During the performance of special tasks, three spies were killed — employees of the Chief Intelligence Department of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
“They died, defending Ukraine, and their act brought us closer to victory,” it said. “Heroes don’t die! They live so long as we remember them!”
However, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko wrote on Telegram: “During an attempt to detain Denys Kireev, a member of the Ukrainian negotiating delegation, the Ukrainian Security Service shot and killed him. He was suspected of high treason."
Honcharenko alleged that the Security Service had clear evidence of Kireev's treason, including several recorded telephone conversations.
The Kyiv Independent reported: “SBU [Ukraine’s Security Service] kills a member of Ukrainian negotiations team suspected of treason. According to Ukrainska Pravda sources, the man was killed during an arrest attempt."
According to the newspaper, investigators had “strong evidence" that he was leaking information to Russia.
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Along with the conflicting reports, graphic photographs were posted online which showed Kireev lying dead in a pool of blood.
Uncorroborated sources claimed he was “literally executed” in the centre of Kyiv.
Kyreyev, a former banker, sat with the Ukrainian negotiating team at the first round of negotiations with Russia in Belarus, although his exact role in the proceedings was unclear. His name was not on the official delegate list for the February 28 summit.
Ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will continue on Monday, according to Ukrainian diplomat David Arakhamia.
Sources from inside Russia say that as sanctions continue to bite, the country could collapse completely if they are not lifted by June.
A report, alleged to have been leaked from within Russia’s security service, the FSB, says: “No one knew there’d be such a war, so no one prepared for these sanctions.
“Our conditional deadline is June, conditional because in June there will be no economy left in Russia – there will be nothing left."
The report concludes bleakly: “Our current position is like Germany in 1943-1944 – but that’s our STARTING position in Ukraine."
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