The spouse of the Ukrainian military intelligence head is in the hospital due to suspected heavy metal poisoning. Marianna Budanova, married to Lt General Kyrylo Budanov, has survived multiple past assassination attempts. The agency has been actively conducting covert operations against Russian forces since the conflict began in February 2022.
Andriy Yusov, GUR’s spokesperson, confirmed the incident without disclosing specifics about the timing or the culprit behind Ms. Budanova’s poisoning. Reports suggest the poisoning likely occurred through contaminated food, using metals uncommon in domestic or military settings.
Ms. Budanova is currently undergoing treatment at a Kyiv hospital. If confirmed deliberate, this would mark a serious escalation, targeting a prominent family member during the 21-month conflict. Several other GUR officials have also been diagnosed with similar poisoning.
Despite surviving numerous assassination attempts, including a failed car bombing, 37-year-old Mr. Budanov remains a repeated target of the Russian state security service. Speculation suggests Budanov might have been the intended target, considering his statement that his wife resides with him in his office.
This unsettling incident underscores the vulnerability of high-profile individuals involved in sensitive operations or conflicts. It emphasizes the necessity for robust security measures to protect them and their families from targeted threats, irrespective of their status. Implementing preventive measures like Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) becomes crucial in fortifying security, enabling the detection and prevention of potential risks before they become dangerous.