Tragic Attack in Lviv and Bust of Russian Network of Paid Assassins

On the night of February 22, 2026, tragic events occurred in Lviv, which local authorities unequivocally call a terrorist attack. According to Mayor Andriy Sadovyi's account, at least two powerful explosions occurred in the city center, which were not preceded by an air raid alert. The fatal victim is a police officer who, along with other uniformed personnel, likely fell into a prepared trap during an intervention. The number of injured is at least 14, and all have been placed under the care of doctors in local hospitals. The regional prosecutor's office is conducting intensive activities at the scene, trying to identify the direct perpetrators of the attack. Simultaneously, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine announced the success of special services in combating Russian subversion. As a result of a joint operation by Ukraine and Moldova, 10 individuals suspected of preparing serial murders on the orders of Russian special services were detained. The group's members were tasked with eliminating well-known public figures, including the spokesperson for military intelligence HUR. For each successful assassination, the Russian principals offered remuneration of up to $100,000. Investigators secured evidence, including correspondence with Russian handlers, confirming detailed planning of the attacks and surveillance of the victims. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Lviv, despite its distance from the front line, has remained a target of sporadic missile attacks and subversive actions due to its role as a key logistical and humanitarian hub near the border with Poland.„To był atak terrorystyczny. Obecnie 14 ofiar jest hospitalizowanych. Lekarze zapewniają im wszelką niezbędną pomoc.” (This was a terrorist attack. Currently, 14 victims are hospitalized. Doctors are providing them with all necessary assistance.) — Andriy SadovyiThese actions fit into the broader context of Russian attempts to destabilize Ukraine internally ahead of planned peace negotiations. The services emphasize that the dismantled network was exceptionally professionally prepared, gathering detailed data on the targets' residences and lifestyles. HUR remains one of the main targets of Russian special operations for years. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) regularly reports on the neutralization of sabotage and reconnaissance groups; in 2024 alone, over a dozen assassination attempts on representatives of the highest state authorities were thwarted.Emphasizes the brutality of Russian methods and the necessity of maintaining national unity in the face of terrorism. | Highlights gaps in the internal security system and the need to strengthen border protection and counterintelligence.