Russia may target Zelensky, Ukraine's military chiefs as Putin's security officials reportedly abandon assassination ban

Reports are circulating that Russia has allegedly dropped its unofficial ban on assassinating Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as the nation's military leadership. According to Russian media sources, the Security Council of Russia has considered granting permission for attacks on the leadership of Kyiv after numerous drone attacks by Ukraine on Russian strategic infrastructure.

According to Russian outlet Moskovsky Komsomolets (MK), as reported by RBC-Ukraine on November 14, the proposal emerged during a closed-door security meeting following Ukrainian attacks on the Leningrad region, particularly the strategically important Baltic port of Ust-Luga.

According to media reports, the debate in Russia’s security agencies was that the retaliation attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and systems had not prevented the strikes on Russian economic and military installations. It was preferred by the officials that they should target those giving orders for such operations.


One Russian source, quoted in the New York Post's report, argued: "It is pointless to fight the endless swarm of drones, it is necessary to destroy the very chain of decision-making."

Another source reportedly criticised Moscow's existing approach of striking Ukrainian infrastructure, saying: "The destruction of other people’s heating does not stop attacks on our refineries, because the people who give orders feel completely safe under the protection of Moscow’s unspoken ‘gentlemen’s agreements’ with the West."

The reports also claimed that officials discussed using hypersonic weapons against underground bunkers and motorcades transporting Ukrainian political and military leaders. These alleged proposals have not been independently verified.

The reported discussions come amid an escalating Ukrainian campaign against Russia's oil-export infrastructure. On November 11, Ukrainian drones struck the Ust-Luga port complex, triggering fires and damaging oil storage and transportation facilities, according to S&P Global.

The energy intelligence company reported Russian oil deliveries through Ust-Luga averaged approximately 562,000 barrels per day in 2026, while refined petroleum product exports averaged another 216,000 barrels per day. The port is therefore an important source of revenue for Moscow, making repeated attacks economically significant.