A Ukrainian peace negotiator has been executed by the Ukrainian security services after he was revealed to be working as a spy for the Russians.
Dennis Kireev, who was 45 years old, was executed alongside two other suspected spies during what was said to be an operation to 'defend the nation'.
The former banker was present at the initial peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia that took place in Belarus. Soon after he was killed, graphic images appeared online of his body dumped in the street. Quite what role he played in negotiations or how he was identified as a spy is unclear.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence said in a statement:
"During the execution of special tasks, three spies were killed - employees of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 'The fate of Alexei Ivanovich, Chibineev Valery Viktorovich, Denis Borisovich Kireev. They perished defending Ukraine, and their rank brought us closer to victory! We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims. Heroes do not die! They live as long as we remember them! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to heroes!"
Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko wrote online:
"During the arrest, the Security Service of Ukraine shot dead a member of the Ukrainian negotiating delegation Denys Kireev. He was suspected of high treason."
Peace talks have been ongoing between Russia and Ukraine following the Russian invasion of the country 12 days ago. Russia has now announced three demands that they say will bring an end to the war. One, Ukraine must change its constitution to be neutral and refuse to join NATO or the EU, two, Ukraine must hand over Crimea to Russia, and three, Ukraine must agree to the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, known collectively as the Donbass.
It is unclear whether the Ukrainians would accept such a deal following the brutal assault that has killed thousands of civilians and military personnel. Ukraine claims that as many as 11,000 Russian soldiers have also been killed in the first 12 days. Thus far, Russia has confirmed only 498 deaths and over 1,000 wounded.
[Based on reporting by: mint]
COMMENTS