Colonel Ivan Voronich, an officer of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), was crossing the street near his apartment building in Kyiv's Holosiivsky district this morning when the attack occurred.

Images circulating on social media show a man approaching Voronich from a concealed position and firing 5 shots at him with a silenced pistol. The suspect then tucked the gun into his pants and fled.

Police at the scene of Colonel Ivan Voronich's assassination in Kyiv, 10/7. Photo: Glavcom

Police at the scene of Colonel Ivan Voronich's assassination in Kyiv, 10/7. Photo: Glavcom

Kyiv police have launched an investigation and confirmed that Voronich died from multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect's identity and motive remain unknown, although former Ukrainian MP Igor Mosiychuk has accused Russia of being behind the incident.

Voronich reportedly commanded Detachment 1, Unit 16 of the SBU, which is responsible for critical operations such as counterterrorism, special operations, and security tasks. Roman Chervinsky, a former Ukrainian intelligence officer, said Voronich "had been fighting against the enemy since 2014".

The SBU is Ukraine's primary domestic intelligence agency, focusing on counterintelligence and anti-corruption efforts. It has also been directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine. SBU special forces are believed to be behind several assassinations of Russian officers and pro-Russian officials in Russian-controlled territories, and they also command private military units.

Nhu Tam (Telegraph, Glavcom)