Zhytomyr Police Detain 17-Year-Old for Mailing Lethal Methadone to Six Troops

Two Ukrainian soldiers have died after receiving packages containing a lethal dose of methadone, according to police in Zhytomyr. Authorities announced on Friday that they have detained a 17-year-old girl who allegedly mailed the deadly capsules to troops across the country.

The suspect was arrested in Zhytomyr, a city located west of Kyiv. Police said she worked under the direction of a Russian security handler. In exchange for her services, the teenager was promised a payment of at least 5,000 hryvnias, which is approximately $111.

Investigators described the method used to target the soldiers. The suspect contacted them via the messaging app Telegram and sent them parcels labeled as free drugs. The recipients were instructed to take the medication while recording themselves on camera. They did not know the capsules contained a lethal amount of methadone.

The poisoning resulted in two deaths in the Zhytomyr region. Investigators stated that they have identified other individuals who received similar packages. This identification effort reportedly prevented four additional murders from being completed elsewhere in Ukraine.

The 17-year-old has been formally charged with aiding and abetting premeditated murder through a prior conspiracy. She also faces charges related to the shipping of drugs and psychotropic substances for distribution. If found guilty, she could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

Police warned that the operation was part of a Russian strategy to kill Ukrainian personnel and destabilize the domestic situation. They advised the public to be cautious about accepting medication, food, or drinks from people they do not know well. Ukrainian authorities have opened thousands of investigations into alleged collaboration with Russia since the war began in 2022. Both nations have accused each other of recruiting minors for sabotage acts, including poisonings, throughout the conflict.