Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed Ukraine’s plan of action in the unfortunate event of his assassination, according to recent reports. As per the country’s constitution, power would then transition to the chairman of Ukraine, who would assume the president’s responsibilities.
Opposition lawmaker Mykola Knyazhytsky clarified, “When the president is unable to fulfill his duties, the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine takes over his responsibilities.” This arrangement ensures that there would be no power vacuum.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the level of public support for chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk, as opinion polls indicate a trust rating of only 40%. Consequently, should Zelensky be assassinated, the Ukrainian government would likely be led by Stefanchuk as a figurehead, along with the head of the president’s office Andrii Yermak, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
Zelensky has faced an increasing number of assassination attempts in recent times. His advisor, Mikhail Podolyak, stated in March 2022 that such attempts escalated rapidly during the course of the war. Notably, in a one-week period, three assassination attempts were reportedly made against Zelensky’s life by Wagner forces.
Moreover, after two Ukrainian-allied anti-Putin individuals infiltrated Russian villages in the Bryansk oblast region, calls for Zelensky’s assassination dramatically intensified. Lawmaker Mikhail Delyagin was quoted saying that the “only normal response” to the incident would be the “immediate elimination of Zelensky.”
When asked about the constant threat to his life in an interview, Zelensky responded by stating that he avoids dwelling on such thoughts, much like Putin who remains secluded in his bunker. He expressed confidence in his bodyguards’ ability to prevent any harm and emphasized that his primary focus lies elsewhere.