Ukraine Says Girl Helped Poison Russian Soldiers, Two Dead
WHO:
Yahoo - Ukrainian police detained an unnamed 17-year-old girl suspected of helping Russian security services poison Ukrainian soldiers.
Yahoo - The girl allegedly followed instructions from a Russian handler.
Yahoo - Two Ukrainian soldiers died after receiving poisoned packages; police said they had identified other recipients.
Yahoo - Ukrainian police said the girl was suspected of aiding and abetting the premeditated murder of two people as part of a prior conspiracy, and of shipping drugs and psychotropic substances for distribution.
Yahoo - Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of recruiting minors for sabotage, including poisoning.
Yahoo - Ukrainian authorities say they have opened thousands of investigations into alleged collaboration with Russia.
Yahoo - Ukraine accused Russia of poisoning the wife of Kyrylo Budanov, then head of Ukraine’s military intelligence and now a presidential advisor.
WHAT:
Yahoo - Police said the girl packaged deadly drugs and sent them to soldiers she contacted through Telegram.
Yahoo - Soldiers received packages described as containing “free drugs” and were “instructed to take them on camera.”
Yahoo - Police said the capsules contained a lethal dose of methadone, and two soldiers died from poisoning.
Yahoo - Police said identifying other package recipients “prevented four more murders” across the country.
Yahoo - If found guilty, the girl faces up to 15 years in jail.
Yahoo - Police warned people not to accept medication, other substances, food, or drinks of dubious origin from people they do not know well.
CBS News World - Police said soldiers who received packages with “free drugs” were “instructed to take them on camera.”
WHERE:
Yahoo - Police arrested the girl in Zhytomyr, west of Kyiv.
Yahoo - The two soldiers died in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region; police said other planned killings were prevented across the country.
WHY:
Yahoo - Police said the girl allegedly acted in exchange for at least 5,000 hryvnias, reported as $111.
Yahoo - Police cautioned that Russia aims “to kill our people and destabilise the situation within the country.”
HOW:
Yahoo - The girl allegedly sent soldiers packages of capsules after contacting them via Telegram and following instructions from a Russian handler.
Yahoo - Police said the soldiers were directed to take the drugs on camera, while unaware the capsules contained a lethal dose of methadone.
Yahoo - The girl was detained by Ukrainian police and notified of the suspicions against her.
(UPDATED October 24, 2026 07:12 UTC)
Ukrainian police have detained a 17-year-old girl suspected of helping Russian security services poison soldiers, killing two in the Zhytomyr region. Police say she contacted soldiers through Telegram and sent them capsules presented as free drugs, with instructions to take them on camera. The capsules allegedly contained a lethal dose of methadone. Investigators say the girl acted under orders from a Russian handler in exchange for at least 5,000 hryvnias, or about $111. Police say identifying other recipients prevented four more killings across the country. The teenager is suspected of aiding the premeditated murders and distributing drugs and psychotropic substances; if convicted, she could face up to 15 years in prison. Authorities warn people not to accept unfamiliar food, drinks, medication, or other substances. Ukraine and Russia have both accused each other of recruiting minors for sabotage.