Illya Kyva, a former Ukrainian MP, has been assassinated in Russia by Ukraine’s SBU security service, law enforcement sources told BBC Ukraine.

“The criminal was liquidated by using small arms,” the sources said.

Russian investigators said Kyva was shot dead in the village of Suponevo, to the west of Moscow, where his body was found yesterday. 

Earlier this year, Kyva was handed a 14-year prison sentence for high treason after calling for Russia to occupy Ukraine. He fled to Russia one month before Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022 and was tried in absentia.

The 46-year-old politician had campaigned unsuccessfully for Ukraine’s presidency in 2019.

Andriy Yusov, spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence, told Ukrainian TV: “Yes, we can confirm Kyva is no more. This fate will befall other traitors of Ukraine and puppets of Putin’s regime”.

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