Two Soldiers Dead After Ukrainian Teen Mails Poisoned Capsules
Police in Zhytomyr say a 17-year-old girl worked for a Russian handler to deliver lethal doses of methadone to troops via Telegram.
By Sakura Novak ·
Two Ukrainian soldiers have died after receiving packages containing a lethal dose of methadone, according to police in Zhytomyr. Authorities detained a 17-year-old girl on Friday who is suspected of packaging and mailing the capsules. She allegedly acted on orders from a Russian security service handler.
The suspect was arrested in Zhytomyr, a city located west of the capital, Kyiv. Police stated that she was promised at least 5,000 hryvnias, roughly 111 U.S. dollars, for her role in the operation. She contacted potential victims through the messaging platform Telegram, presenting the packages as free drugs. The recipients were instructed to consume the capsules while recording video.
Investigators explained that the soldiers did not know the capsules contained methadone. The two fatalities occurred in the Zhytomyr region. Officials noted that identifying other recipients allowed them to stop the distribution of more packages. This action prevented four additional deaths from occurring across the country.
The teenager faces charges of aiding and abetting the premeditated murder of two individuals as part of a prior conspiracy. She is also suspected of shipping drugs and psychotropic substances for distribution. If convicted, she could serve up to 15 years in prison.
Police warned that Russia seeks to kill Ukrainian citizens and destabilize the country. They advised the public to avoid accepting medication, food, or drinks from strangers. Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of recruiting minors for sabotage during the war that began in 2022. Ukrainian authorities have opened thousands of investigations into alleged collaboration with Moscow.
Poisoning cases have arisen previously. In 2023, Ukraine accused Russia of poisoning the wife of Kyrylo Budanov, then head of military intelligence. Several GUR staff were diagnosed with the same condition. That same year, Paris prosecutors investigated the poisoning of a Russian journalist who had publicly opposed the war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently told The Sun that he survived five or six assassination attempts since the invasion began.
