Why Putin still alive despite Defence Intelligence capabilities, expert explains

Ukraine’s military intelligence has the technical potential to carry out operations targeting Russia’s top leadership, but the physical removal of Putin is not currently part of the plans of Ukraine’s strategic partners. Western countries continue to treat the Russian leader as a legitimate political figure.

Military analyst Dmytro Sniehyrov, speaking to Kyiv24, drew a parallel with the recent elimination of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, made possible through prolonged surveillance. He said modern technology and intelligence networks make dictators vulnerable even when they feel safe.

Sniehyrov stressed that Ukraine’s intelligence community has demonstrated its effectiveness through successful operations against high-ranking military officials on enemy territory. However, actions regarding Vladimir Putin fall within the political domain and depend on decisions at the highest level.

«Such operations require approval at the top level. But the Ukrainian side — Ukrainian intelligence — has carried out effective operations against senior military officers on enemy territory. The technical capabilities exist, ” he said.

He noted that Western partners do not currently support a scenario for the radical removal of the Kremlin leader.

«Putin is seen as a legitimate figure in the eyes of the West. Therefore, his physical elimination by Ukraine is unlikely to be part of the plans of strategic partners, ” Sniehyrov concluded.