The government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains defiant as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military on Monday morning claimed “the Russian army has reduced the pace of the offensive in all directions, and the Ukrainian military is successfully repelling all attacks.”
Despite the Ukrainian claims, there are concerns in the West Russia remains determined to personally target Zelensky to hasten an end to the hostilities.
The Times of the UK reported on Monday “More than 400 Russian mercenaries are operating in Kyiv with orders from the Kremlin to assassinate President Zelensky and his government and prepare the ground for Moscow to take control.”
The Times reported the mercenaries are part of the Wagner Group, a private contractor that has operated in multiple conflict zones such as Syria, Libya, Mali and Central African Republic. The Times claimed Wagner Group mercenaries were flown in from “Africa five weeks ago on a mission to decapitate Zelensky’s government in return for a handsome financial bonus”.
The New York Times had then reported “mercenaries had been placed in the rebel territories to engage in sabotage and stage false flag operations intended to make it seem as if Ukrainian forces were attacking civilian targets.”
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The mercenaries have been given a hit list with 23 targets including Zelensky, his cabinet, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir. The Times claimed “between 2,000 and 4,000” Wagner mercenaries had arrived in Ukraine in January, with different missions including operations in Donetsk and Luhansk.
Last week, Zelensky conceded he was “target no 1” for Russia and was at personal risk. The US had offered to evacuate Zelensky, reports said; however, he had declined.
