He said Shalaiev could secure a job with the agency if he killed Hanul, and sent him photographs of the target and his car. Serhiy Shalaiev (centre) was charged with the murder of Ukrainian activist Demyan Hanul. More than a quarter of those arrested in such cases since 2024 were minors – some as young as 11 years. His family car was set on fire and destroyed earlier this year in one of many such attacks around Ukraine committed by people recruited online by Russia. Hanul was shot dead in Odesa in March by a Ukrainian soldier who is believed to have been recruited by Russia.

Source: The Irish Times December 22, 2025 19:30 UTC