Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has arrested two church figures suspected of plotting to assassinate Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov, a senior bishop in the Russian Orthodox Church and a close associate of President Vladimir Putin.
According to Russian authorities, the alleged plot was orchestrated by Ukraine’s GUR intelligence service, with the suspects recruited through the Telegram messaging app. This case adds to the long list of security incidents attributed to Ukraine amid the ongoing war between the two nations.
The Alleged Assassination Plot and Its Execution
The FSB announced on February 28, 2025, that it had foiled a Ukrainian-ordered plot to eliminate Tikhon Shevkunov. The arrested individuals were identified as Denis Popovich, an assistant to Shevkunov, and Nikita Ivankovich, a fellow cleric.
The Russian security agency reported that the suspects had been provided with an improvised explosive device (IED) as early as December 2024 and were instructed to plant it in the living quarters of Moscow’s Sretensky Monastery, where Shevkunov was expected to visit.
According to TASS, the state-run news agency, the accused men planned to detonate the device and subsequently flee Moscow using false passports arranged by their handlers. The FSB’s statement further detailed that the suspects had been under surveillance for months, and their activities had been closely monitored.
When security forces moved in, video footage captured the moment of their arrests—one suspect was seen restrained and carried into a van, while another was found lying face-down in handcuffs inside an apartment.
One of the accused, Denis Popovich, allegedly confessed in a video released by Russian media, claiming he had been recruited to monitor Shevkunov’s movements.
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He stated that he was coerced into the plot under threats to his family’s safety. The confession video, shared by Zvezda, a Russian media outlet linked to the military, fueled speculation about the extent of Ukrainian intelligence operations within Russia.
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Despite the evidence presented by Russian authorities, Ukraine has not issued any official statement regarding the allegations. This silence has led to varied reactions from analysts, with some questioning the credibility of the Russian government’s claims and others pointing to a pattern of targeted attacks on high-profile Russian figures in recent years.
Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov’s Role and Significance
Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov is an influential figure in both Russian religious and political circles. Often referred to as “Putin’s confessor,” he has been associated with the Russian president since the 1990s.
Beyond his religious duties, Shevkunov serves on Putin’s advisory council for culture and the arts, playing a key role in shaping the ideological and moral framework of the Russian Orthodox Church’s relationship with the state.
Following Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, Shevkunov was appointed Metropolitan of Crimea, further solidifying his influence.
Over the years, he has been regarded as a potential successor to Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. His close ties to the Kremlin make him an important figure not just in religious matters but also in the broader socio-political landscape of Russia.
The significance of the alleged assassination attempt lies in the intersection of religion and politics. The Russian Orthodox Church has played a central role in justifying Moscow’s actions in Ukraine, often portraying the conflict as a spiritual and cultural struggle. By targeting Shevkunov, the alleged plot—if true—suggests an effort to strike at one of the ideological pillars supporting Russia’s stance on the war.
Context and Broader Implications of the Case
Russia’s claims of Ukrainian involvement in assassination attempts are not new. Over the past three years, several high-profile figures within Russia and occupied territories have been targeted.
The most recent case before this was the December 2024 assassination of General Igor Kirillov in Moscow, an attack that was attributed to Ukrainian operatives. Other incidents have included the car bombing of journalist Darya Dugina in August 2022 and the killing of war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in April 2023.
The alleged attempt on Shevkunov’s life raises further questions about the effectiveness of Russian security measures and the extent of Ukrainian intelligence operations inside Russia. If the FSB’s claims are accurate, it would suggest that Ukrainian operatives are capable of penetrating highly secure circles, even within religious institutions.
However, some analysts argue that these allegations should be taken with caution, as the Russian government has previously used security threats to justify internal crackdowns and consolidate power.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Ukraine of orchestrating sabotage and terrorist activities on Russian soil, often using these claims to expand surveillance, tighten state control, and justify continued military action in Ukraine.
The lack of an immediate response from Kyiv leaves room for speculation. If Ukrainian intelligence agencies were involved, it would indicate a strategic shift in their operations—targeting ideological and religious figures rather than solely military or political personnel.
On the other hand, if the Russian allegations are exaggerated or false, it could be a means to rally public support behind the war effort and further demonize Ukraine in the eyes of Russian citizens.
For now, the fate of the arrested suspects remains uncertain. Given the high-profile nature of the case, they are likely to face severe legal consequences, potentially serving as an example in Russia’s broader effort to root out what it sees as Ukrainian espionage and sabotage.
Regardless of the ultimate truth behind these events, the arrest of two church figures in connection with an assassination plot signals an escalation in the hybrid warfare tactics seen throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Whether real or fabricated, the incident underscores the increasingly blurred lines between religion, politics, and security in modern Russia.
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