Ukraine releases image of ‘traitor MP’s body’ and video ‘showing assassin lying in wait’ before lawmaker was shot dead in Moscow – as Kyiv issues warning to ‘criminals who have gone over to the enemy’

Ukrainian intelligence today released chilling footage from the scene of the murder of Ilya Kiva, a “traitor” and former Kyiv MP turned Putin puppet.

Kiva, 46, was shot dead last week while walking in a supposedly safe area near Moscow.

Footage from the scene showed his body lying in the snow, and the weapon used to “liquidate” him was found hanging from a tree nearby.

The SBU Secret Service made it clear that the images and videos were deliberately released as a warning to other Ukrainians collaborating with Vladimir Putin’s invading forces.

“This is a signal to all traitors and war criminals who have gone over to the side of the enemy,” a Ukrainian source told the media.

“Remember, Russia will not protect you… Death is the only prospect that awaits the enemies of Ukraine.”

This followed a statement from SBU spokesman Andrei Yusov, who told Ukrainian television: “We can confirm that Kiva is no more. The same fate will befall other traitors to Ukraine and puppets of the Putin regime.”

The publication of photographs and videos from the crime scene occurred after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with SBU head Vasily Malyuk to discuss measures to prosecute those who collaborate with Russia. Ukrinform reported.

A Kremlin propagandist who appeared on docile state TV shows, Kiva claimed that Zelensky was an MI6 puppet and a cocaine addict.

He was former police officer and government official who led the Socialist Party in the Ukrainian parliament from 2017–2019.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for president of Ukraine in 2019, but then turned to Russia. He asked Putin for political asylum and a Russian passport.

The crime scene photographs were taken on the heavily guarded grounds of the Velich Country Club, which is believed to be a hideout for the murdered Ukrainian.

The club is just 12 miles from Putin’s main official residence, Novo-Ogarevo, near Moscow, and less than 30 miles from the Kremlin.

Kiva reportedly lived at the club, which had hotel amenities and “good security,” with his girlfriend.

Video taken at the scene by the alleged killer shortly before the shooting showed the killer waiting among the snow and trees, waiting for a man to pass by.

“This is what my office looks like,” he said, his voice distorted to protect his identity.

“There’s a red carpet, a chair, a path to the bus,” he joked, showing off his surroundings before pointing the camera at a figure walking through a snowdrift a few dozen feet away. It is unclear whether this figure was Kiva.

The investigation into the murder is now being carried out by the Investigative Committee of Russia.

Earlier this year, Kiva was sentenced to 14 years in prison for treason in a trial in absentia, having already fled to live in Russia.

A few hours before his death, Kiva predicted in his last social media post that the defeated Vladimir Zelensky would be forced to flee to the UK.

“Zelensky’s only option is to flee to England, but even from there he is extradited when it benefits the Crown, or he dies when the Kremlin needs it,” he said.

Speaking about the murder, adviser to the President of Ukraine Mikhail Podolyak said: “Regardless of the Kiva incident, it is very important for everyone who is in one way or another actively cooperating with the Russian occupation administrations to understand that their risks are extreme, even if they are located on Russian territory.”

“Of course, over the past two years, the activity and capabilities of the Ukrainian special services have increased enormously.

“The risks for such people will continue or even increase.”

Yusov added: “(Kyva) was one of the biggest and most disgusting scum, a traitor and collaborator.

“Unfortunately, there are still many of them in Russia.”

But Kiva was not the only defector killed last week.

Oleg Popov, whom Kyiv branded a war criminal, died in a car explosion in occupied Lugansk.

The footage shows Popov’s car on fire after an explosion near the city stadium. The 51-year-old man was appointed by the Russian occupation forces as a “deputy of the People’s Council of the Lugansk People’s Republic.”

Kyiv Post reported that the “special operation” was organized by the Security Service of Ukraine, which was later confirmed by a source in the special services in a conversation with Pravda.

A source told The Post that Popov was “a legitimate target because before becoming a lawmaker, he led many Russian volunteer battalions, led illegal armed groups and killed Ukrainians.”

“Undermining the leader is the best advertisement for the effectiveness of this committee,” the source said.

Popv’s death came just weeks after another Luhansk region lawmaker, Mikhail Filiponenko, was killed in a similar attack claimed by Kyiv.