Poland detains Russian citizen accused of plotting attack on Ukrainian rapper Kyivstoner
Polish authorities have detained a Russian citizen suspected of planning an assassination against Ukrainian-American rapper Kyivstoner. Russia's FSB, meanwhile, claims the rapper was involved in a drone-smuggling operation targeting Russia.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Thursday that a Russian citizen had been detained in Poland on suspicion of preparing an assassination in Warsaw on Moscow's orders. According to Tusk, the suspect was actually detained back on August 7, and the intended target was a Ukrainian-American dual citizen described as 'inconvenient' for the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Tusk stressed that the planned killing was averted at the last moment.
The arrest was carried out by agents of Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) together with police, working in cooperation with United States services, the prime minister said. Tusk did not disclose the name of the intended victim.
FSB accusations against the rapper
Separately, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) issued a statement accusing Ukrainian rapper Albert Vasiliev, known by the stage name 'Kyivstoner', of involvement in extremist and terrorist activity. The FSB claims the rapper took part in a Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) operation to smuggle drones into Russia via Slovakia, Poland and Belarus, allegedly intended for strikes on military infrastructure. The agency also accused him of drug distribution.
Kyivstoner, who holds both Ukrainian and American citizenship, has denied all of the FSB's claims on Instagram.
