"An assassination attempt against Ihor occurred today; the attacker and an accomplice have been arrested", President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on 31/7. He was referring to Colonel Ihor Oboliensky, commander of the 2nd "Khartiia" Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine.

Ukrainska Pravda, citing Ukrainian law enforcement sources, reported that authorities arrested the suspect, a 69-year-old man, near a barbershop in Kharkov. The suspect approached Oboliensky from behind, but the Makarov pistol appears to have malfunctioned at the moment of firing, allowing him to narrowly escape death.

Ukrainian officials believe Russian agents impersonated Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) officers to recruit the suspect. They convinced him that the 2nd Corps commander was a "traitor" by sending AI-generated images. These images depicted Oboliensky next to the Kremlin and wearing a Russian symbol on his shirt.

Authorities confiscated the weapon and ammunition upon arresting the suspect. The individual claimed to have received the gun from an unidentified person in Kharkov, according to Ukrainska Pravda. Law enforcement officers are identifying the person who supplied the weapon, searching for accomplices, and assessing whether Colonel Oboliensky's travel schedule was leaked. Russian officials have not commented on the information.

The gun confiscated from the suspect by authorities on 31/7. Photo: SBU

Oboliensky believes the attempt is proof his forces are operating effectively on the battlefield. "This attempt shows that the enemy is afraid, and our retaliation will make them even more fearful", the Ukrainian colonel stated.

Ihor Oboliensky previously served in Ukraine's Special Operations Forces in the early days of the conflict. He later joined the Khartiia volunteer unit established in Kharkov. In early 2023, Khartiia was reorganized into the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. Oboliensky became the brigade commander and reformed the unit's command system according to NATO standards.

Ihor Oboliensky during a meeting with President Zelensky in Kiev on 20/7. Photo: X/ZelenskyyUa

In 2025, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces established a corps based on the Khartiia Brigade, naming it the 2nd Corps and appointing Colonel Oboliensky as its commander. President Zelensky awarded him the title Hero of Ukraine on 15/7. Earlier this year, the Kyiv Independent praised the 2nd Corps as one of the three most successful units among 18 newly formed corps. Forces from the 2nd Corps participated in building a network of anti-tank trenches, strongholds, and obstacles along the 135 km front line in the Kharkov sector to counter the risk of a deep Russian offensive into the province.

Russian intelligence is believed to have repeatedly recruited Ukrainian citizens to assassinate high-ranking officers. In March, the SBU announced the arrest of a Ukrainian drone pilot recruited to assassinate Andrii Biletsky, commander of the 3rd Army Corps.

By Pham Giang (Kyiv Independent, NVOA, Ukrainska Pravda)