Zhytomyr Police Detain Teen Who Mailed Lethal Methadone to Soldiers

Ukrainian authorities in Zhytomyr detained a 17-year-old girl on Friday after determining she mailed lethal doses of methadone to soldiers under the direction of a Russian intelligence handler.

Police stated that the suspect followed specific instructions from her handler to recruit victims through Telegram messages. She promised recipients free drugs and instructed them to consume the contents on camera. The capsules contained a lethal amount of methadone, a fact unknown to the soldiers upon receipt.

Two soldiers in the Zhytomyr region died from the poisoning. Investigators identified other individuals who had received similar packages, a move that prevented four additional deaths across the country. The suspect was promised a payment of at least 5,000 hryvnias, approximately $111, for her role in the operation.

The girl faces charges of aiding and abetting the premeditated murder of two people as part of a prior conspiracy. Police also suspect her of shipping drugs and psychotropic substances for distribution. If convicted, she could receive a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

In a statement, police said Russia aims to kill Ukrainian people and destabilize the internal situation. They advised the public to avoid accepting medication, food, or drinks from strangers or those of dubious origin.

Ukrainian and Russian officials have accused one another of recruiting minors for sabotage acts since the war began in 2022. Ukrainian authorities have opened thousands of investigations into alleged collaboration with the enemy. In 2023, Ukraine accused Russia of poisoning the wife of Kyrylo Budanov, then head of military intelligence. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed he survived at least five or six assassination attempts since the invasion began.