Teen Girl Arrested Over Alleged Russian Plot to Poison Ukrainian Soldiers in Exchange for Just $111

Ukrainian police have arrested a 17-year-old girl suspected of helping Russian security services poison Ukrainian soldiers in a plot that reportedly left two servicemen dead. Authorities allege that the teenager received at least 5,000 Ukrainian hryvnias, equivalent to approximately US$111, for her involvement in the operation. The arrest highlights growing concerns about the alleged recruitment of young Ukrainians for covert operations during the war.

According to Ukrainian police, the girl was detained in Zhytomyr, west of Kyiv, on October 23, 2026. Investigators suspect she packaged substances containing lethal doses of methadone and sent them to Ukrainian soldiers she had contacted through Telegram. The recipients were allegedly offered drugs for free without knowing the packages contained potentially fatal doses. Two soldiers reportedly died after consuming the substances.

Authorities believe the teenager was acting on instructions from a Russian handler and received payment for her role. The investigation is examining how the packages were prepared and delivered, how the soldiers were approached, and whether other people were involved in organising the alleged operation. The suspect has not been publicly named, and the allegations against her remain subject to legal proceedings.

The case comes amid wider warnings from Ukrainian security officials about alleged Russian recruitment networks operating through messaging platforms and online contacts. In August, Ukraine’s Security Service said it had prevented more than 50 attempted attacks against military personnel since the beginning of 2026, including plots involving fake romantic relationships, poisoned substances and explosives. Officials have warned that such operations may exploit people with limited resources or experience by promising money or other rewards.

Similar cases have also emerged in Ukraine this year. In June, Ukrainian police accused a 17-year-old girl of poisoning a serviceman after she allegedly received instructions and a suspicious substance from someone believed to be connected to Russian security services. In a separate case reported in October, a 14-year-old girl was charged over the alleged poisoning and killing of a soldier in an operation investigators linked to a Russian handler. These are separate investigations, but they have intensified concerns about minors being drawn into wartime violence.

Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly accused each other of recruiting people for sabotage and attacks during the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. While Ukrainian authorities attribute the latest alleged operation to Russian security services, the investigation and court proceedings will be important in establishing individual responsibility and the full circumstances surrounding the soldiers’ deaths.

The arrest underscores the dangers of covert recruitment during wartime, particularly when young people are allegedly offered small payments to participate in serious crimes. Ukrainian investigators are now seeking to establish the extent of the suspected network and determine whether further attacks were planned or carried out.