The wife of Ukraine’s intelligence chief is undergoing treatment after allegedly being poisoned with heavy metals.
Marianna Budanova is the wife of Lt General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, known as the GUR.
The agency has been prominently involved in clandestine operations against Russian forces since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukraine war latest: Follow live
“Yes, I can confirm the information, unfortunately, it is true,” Andriy Yusov, the GUR’s spokesperson, said on Tuesday, when asked if Ms Budanova had been poisoned.
He did not give any further details about when the poisoning took place or who was behind it.
It is thought the poison was likely administered through food, according to local media, as the metals were not used domestically or in military equipment.
Local media reported Ms Budanova is in hospital in Kyiv.
If confirmed as deliberate, it would represent the most serious targeting of a high-profile Ukrainian leadership figure’s family member during the 21-month conflict.
Several other GUR officials were also diagnosed with the same poisoning.
Mr Budanov, 37, is reported to have survived 10 assassination attempts carried out by the Russian state security service.
Read more:
Russia extends detention of Wall Street Journal reporter
David Cameron’s Ukraine trip shows its importance to the UK
This includes a botched bombing of a car.
He had also previously told local media that his wife lives with him in his office, which could suggest he was the intended target for the poisoning.
There was no immediate comment from Russia, but some Russian media and commentators speculated it could be part of infighting in Ukraine.
In Ukraine, Mr Budanov is portrayed as a behind-the-scenes mastermind of operations to strike back at Russia, whereas in Russian media he is a hate figure.
