Zhytomyr Methadone Case: Teen Detained for Poisoning Soldiers
Police say the 17-year-old was paid 5,000 hryvnias to mail lethal doses to six troops via Telegram.
By Carolina Wood ·
Two Ukrainian soldiers have died after ingesting methadone capsules mailed by a 17-year-old girl detained in Zhytomyr. Authorities announced the arrest on Friday, stating the teenager worked under the direction of a Russian handler.
Police say the suspect contacted the victims through the messaging app Telegram. She persuaded them to accept packages described as free drugs and instructed them to consume the contents on video. The capsules contained a lethal dose of methadone, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder that can be fatal if taken in high concentrations without medical supervision.
Investigators identified the scheme after the first deaths. They traced additional recipients of similar parcels across the country. This effort stopped four more potential poisonings before the victims could ingest the drugs. The suspect was promised at least 5,000 hryvnias, equivalent to roughly $111, for completing the task.
The girl faces charges for aiding and abetting premeditated murder through a prior conspiracy. She is also suspected of distributing psychotropic substances. If a court finds her guilty, she could receive a prison sentence of up to 15 years. Police have not yet released her name to the public.
Ukrainian authorities warned that the operation aimed to destabilize the country by killing service members. Officers advised citizens to avoid accepting food, drinks, or medication from strangers. This case follows a pattern of accusations dating back to the start of the war in 2022, where both nations have claimed the other recruits minors for sabotage. In 2023, investigators looked into the poisoning of a GUR intelligence officer's wife and a Russian journalist in Paris.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told The Sun in a recent interview that he has survived at least five or six assassination attempts since the invasion began. The Zhytomyr detention adds to a series of investigations into collaboration with Moscow. Police continue to examine the digital trail left by the suspect on Telegram to identify any remaining participants in the network.
The next step in the legal process involves a formal review of the evidence collected by investigators. Prosecutors must decide whether to move the case to trial or seek a longer period for investigation. The two deceased soldiers’ families have been notified of the detention.
