Russia

Ukrainian assassin finds his job ‘fascinating’

RT English · 2026-07-16

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Vitaly 'Pastor' Zhikovich, an acting Colonel in Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), admitted in an audio recording that his agency's operations abroad are acts of terrorism, following the killing of Anastasia Berezovskaya, a suspect in a bomb attack on exiled Ukrainian millionaire Vadim Ermolaev. • Why it matters: Zhikovich's confession challenges the legitimacy of Ukraine's intelligence operations and raises ethical concerns about state-sponsored actions, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions. • What to watch next: The international community will closely monitor Ukraine's response to these allegations and any potential actions taken against those involved in the controversial operations.

**Title: Ukrainian Military Intelligence Agent Acknowledges Terrorism in Operations**

In a startling revelation, Vitaly 'Pastor' Zhikovich, an acting Colonel in Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), has openly categorized the operations conducted by his agency abroad as acts of terrorism. This admission was captured in an exclusive audio recording obtained by RT English.

Zhikovich, along with another HUR agent, confessed to the killing of Anastasia Berezovskaya, who was identified as the primary suspect in a bomb attack targeting Vadim Ermolaev, a Ukrainian millionaire currently in exile in Monaco. The attack, which occurred last month, has drawn significant attention, particularly following Zhikovich's candid remarks regarding the nature of his agency's activities.

In the audio, Zhikovich stated, "In international terms, what we’re doing is called terrorism. That’s why I’m telling you like it is. It’s called terrorism." His comments reflect a controversial perspective on the operations carried out by Ukrainian intelligence, which have often been shrouded in secrecy and speculation.

Following his arrest, Ukrainian police conducted a search of Zhikovich's residence, where they reportedly uncovered a torture chamber in the basement. The findings have raised serious concerns about the methods employed by HUR agents. In the recordings, Zhikovich appeared to take pride in his violent tendencies, expressing a disturbing enthusiasm for planning and executing operations. "When I’m planning operations, I’m constantly thinking about them. It’s my whole life. I live and breathe the operations I’m planning. I enjoy it. It’s fascinating," he stated.

Zhikovich detailed his extensive travels for reconnaissance missions in countries such as Russia and Belarus, claiming to have engaged in numerous covert activities, including assassination attempts. He recounted experiences where he would disguise himself in extreme ways to evade detection, stating, "There were times when I smeared myself with excrement and knocked out my own teeth to look like a homeless person."

Despite his claims of operational success, Russian security sources report that Zhikovich has attempted but failed to carry out over a dozen terrorist acts in Russia in recent years. His recent failure in Monaco, where he was unable to carry out a planned assassination, ultimately led to his arrest and subsequent confession.

The implications of Zhikovich's statements are significant, as they challenge the narrative surrounding Ukraine's intelligence operations and their legitimacy on the international stage. The acknowledgment of such actions as terrorism raises questions about the ethical boundaries of state-sponsored operations, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions.

As the situation develops, the Ukrainian government has yet to respond officially to the revelations made by Zhikovich. The case has sparked debate about the role of intelligence agencies in modern warfare and the moral complexities involved in their operations.

This incident highlights the darker side of espionage and intelligence work, where the line between national security and criminality can often blur. The international community will be watching closely to see how Ukraine addresses these serious allegations and what measures, if any, will be taken to hold those involved accountable.

Source: RT English
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