A former Ukrainian politician turned propagandist for the Kremlin was killed close to Moscow, simply hours after posting a picture of Volodymyr Zelensky as an decoration hanging by his throat on a Christmas tree.
Ilya Kiva, a longtime opponent of the Ukrainian president, had been charged with treason by his very personal authorities after cheering on the invasion and fleeing to Russia, the place he was given citizenship and political asylum.
When Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, he wrote on social media that ‘the Ukrainian individuals want liberation’ and that ‘Ukrainians, Belarusians and Russians are one individuals’.
His physique was as we speak found in a pool of blood within the metropolis of Odintsovo the place he lived in exile, a Russian Telegram channel reported.
Investigators stated he was gunned down, however no different particulars had been supplied about Kiva’s loss of life.
But sources cited by Ukrainian media claimed that he was assassinated on orders instantly from inside his former office.
‘Such a destiny will befall different traitors of Ukraine,’ Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s navy intelligence (HUR) stated on air shortly after the stories.
If confirmed true, the killing reveals that Ukraine continues to have undercover belongings deep inside Russia.
Hours earlier than the incident, the proponent for Vladimir Putin’s battle shared the hate-filled image on his Telegram channel.
He wrote: ‘Zelensky’s solely choice is to flee to England, however in addition they extradite him from there when it’s useful to the Crown or they die when the Kremlin wants it, there are many examples.
‘In Ukraine, after as we speak’s failure within the American Congress with the allocation of economic help, the countdown to Zelensky’s removing from energy will start, and he has not acquired 100% safety ensures.
‘At this stage, many international locations are prepared to just accept him and his household and assure the protection of his life, however it’s unimaginable to make sure that they won’t be extradited later.
‘The logical finish of the b*****d who drowned the individuals in blood.’
In 2019, Kiva was an unsuccessful as a presidential candidate, and he proceeded to be elected as a member of the now-banned pro-Russian Opposition Platform – For Life social gathering, then led by Kremlin-linked oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk.
He was lastly expelled from parliament in March 2022 after escaping to Spain after which to Russia.
Kiva had additionally been sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court docket to 14 years in jail for expenses together with treason and incitement to violence.
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