The Story The shadowy world of targeted killings
Jun 13, 2025
The podcast dives into the chilling world of targeted killings within Ukraine, focusing on covert operations and their moral implications. It scrutinizes the motivations behind these assassinations, such as revenge and political pressure. The conversation also explores how these actions impact international perceptions and military strategies, from undermining enemy morale to legal complexities involved. Personal reflections on living under constant threat evoke the emotional toll of such conflicts, revealing the broader human experience amidst war.
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The Complex Gertsev Assassination
- Zawar Gertsev, a retired Russian Air Force major turned mayor, was killed in a remote bomb blast about 400 miles from the Ukrainian border.
- The explosion involved a remote detonated device concealed in a proxy's bag, indicating a sophisticated honey trap operation.
Distinction Between Assassination and Targeted Killing
- Targeted killings differ from assassinations in legality; assassinations are unlawful murders for political purposes.
- Targeted killings in armed conflict are deliberate lethal attacks on specific individuals engaged in hostilities, generally lawful under international law.
Who Conducts Targeted Killings?
- Two main Ukrainian agencies potentially behind targeted killings are the State Security Service (SBU) and Military Intelligence (HUR), both conducting covert operations in Russia.
- Ukrainians can operate covertly within Russia more easily due to shared language, regional knowledge, and some Russian anti-Putin support.