In an alarming twist, the Ukrainian affiliate of an internationally flagged far-right terrorist group asserts it played a direct role in the audacious killing of an intelligence officer in Kyiv.

Last week, Col. Ivan Voronych of the SBU was shot dead by a masked gunman as he traversed a parking lot in broad daylight. The brazen assassination has stirred outrage across the capital, with harrowing footage quickly circulating among Ukrainian media.

Known as 'the Base,' this organization—born in the US and now comprising a global network—has been actively incentivizing targeted killings and attacks on Ukraine's vital infrastructure. Allegations have surfaced, suggesting the group's founder, Rinaldo Nazzaro, may be in cahoots with Russian spies. In recent weeks, Ukrainian officials have raised alarms about Russian intelligence units allegedly funding local citizens to execute sabotage missions against their homeland.

A chilling statement on a Telegram channel linked to the Ukrainian cell declared, 'The shooting of the SBU colonel is just the beginning. Our fight for justice is far from over.' The group expressed pride in those who executed the hit, dismissing labels of 'terrorists and extremists' as irrelevant.

Additionally, the group ominously warned other public figures in Ukraine, proclaiming, 'The hunt continues!'

Counter-terrorism experts have deemed these messages credible, indicating a concerning escalation in the group's activities, hinting they are not just passively observing but actively orchestrating treasonous crimes against Ukraine.

In a swift response, the SBU claimed responsibility for killing two suspects allegedly recruited and armed by 'Russian special services' to eliminate Voronych. Reports suggest these assassins are foreign operatives linked to organized crime, receiving remote support from Russian intelligence.

Historically an American extremist group, the Base had yet to publicly align itself with the geopolitical ambitions of the Kremlin—until now.

In April, the Base launched self-styled insurgency plans to carve out an ethnically homogenous state in western Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region, unveiling videos of reckless arson targeting police vehicles, military installations, and essential infrastructure.

Rinaldo Nazzaro, who has roots in the Pentagon and directly connects to special forces, refrained from comments about the Ukrainian incident when approached. He stated, 'I have no personal involvement in this incident, nor do I know who is responsible.' Yet, he has previously endorsed operations in Ukraine conducted by members independent of his oversight.

Despite sending multiple requests for comments to the Ukrainian cell's communication channels, responses have remained elusive.

Analyst Steven Rai from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue noted, 'The Base has been increasingly active in Ukraine since March, orchestrating at least ten arson attacks against critical infrastructure.' He added, 'While we can't definitively say they orchestrated this assassination, it aligns with their long-standing threats and highlights a serious danger they pose.'

Once a target of fierce FBI investigations leading to numerous arrests, the Base has rapidly expanded its reach in Europe, reinforcing its ranks domestically and internationally. Amidst diminished FBI focus on domestic terrorism under the Trump administration, the group's resurgence appears formidable.