Zhytomyr Teen: 17-Year-Old Detained in Methadone Poisoning Plot

A 17-year-old girl was detained in Zhytomyr on Friday after Ukrainian police accused her of mailing lethal doses of methadone to six soldiers. Two of the recipients died from the poisoning, while investigators believe they prevented four additional deaths by identifying the other package recipients.

The suspect, whose name has not been released, allegedly acted on the instructions of a Russian handler. Police stated she was promised a payment of at least 5,000 hryvnias, equivalent to approximately $111, for completing the task. She contacted the soldiers through the messaging app Telegram and sent them parcels containing the drugs.

According to the police statement, the soldiers were told the packages contained "free drugs" and were instructed to take them while on camera. The recipients did not know the capsules held a lethal dose of methadone. The two deaths occurred within the Zhytomyr region, which is located west of Kyiv.

The 17-year-old faces charges of aiding and abetting in the premeditated murder of two people. She is also suspected of shipping drugs and psychotropic substances for distribution. If found guilty, she could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

Police warned that the Russian aim was to kill personnel and destabilize the country. They urged the public to avoid accepting medication, food, or drinks from people they do not know well. Ukraine and Russia have both accused each other of recruiting minors for sabotage and poisoning operations since the war began in 2022.

Ukrainian authorities have opened thousands of investigations into alleged collaboration with the enemy. Previous high-profile poisoning cases include the 2023 incident involving the wife of Kyrylo Budanov, then head of military intelligence. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also claimed to have survived five or six assassination attempts since the invasion began.