Wife of Ukraine's military intelligence head hospitalized for apparent poisoning, officials say

The wife of Ukraine's military intelligence chief was hospitalized after she was apparently poisoned with heavy metals, an agency spokesperson said Tuesday. 

Marianna Budanova, the wife of Ukraine intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, was hospitalized after her health deteriorated over a prolonged period of time, a spokesperson for the Main Directorate of Intelligence, known as GUR, said, according to Ukrainian outlet Babel.  

"These substances are not used in any way in everyday life and military affairs. Their presence may indicate a purposeful attempt to poison a specific person," the official said. 

She is being treated and an investigation is ongoing into an alleged attempt to assassinate her. 

Sources cited by independent Russian news outlet Meduza state that multiple GUR employees were also poisoned, most likely through food. 

Several assassination attempts have been made on Kyrylo Budanov, as he has been involved in operations against Russia since the Kremlin ordered troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022. 

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