Ukraine peace negotiator shot dead ‘defending the nation’ amid claims he was a ‘double agent’ working for Russia

MYSTERY surrounds the death of a member of Ukraine’s peace delegation tonight – amid claims he may have been spying for Russia. Officials in Ukraine said Denis Kireev, 45, a top negotiator, was killed during an operation. www.belta.byMystery surrounds the death of top negotiator Denis Kireev, who attended the first round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine[/caption] www.pravda.com.uaGraphic photos circulated on social media appear to show Mr Kireev dead in a street in Kyiv[/caption] APRussian sources allege he committed ‘treason’ and was killed by Ukraine’s security service in Kyiv, where thousands of people were pictured hiding from the bombs today[/caption] However, it’s since been suggested that he committed “treason” – with both Russian and Ukrainian sources making the claim. News broke when Ukraine’s ministry of defence revealed he was one of three spies to lose their lives “during the performance of special tasks”. Rumours then quickly began circulating which claimed Ukraine executed Mr Kireev because he was spying for Putin’s aggressors. Russia claimed the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) shot him during an arrest attempt.  Ukrainian outlets are now reporting the same claims – lending them credence. Gory photographs posted online show Mr Kireev dead in a pool of blood. Uncorroborated sources claim he was “literally executed” in the centre of Kyiv. It comes as: Heartbreaking photos show the horrors of Vladimir Putin’s war – including a baby being carried amongst the rubbleRussian generals have been urged to ASSASSINATE demented Putin to stop the war in UkraineIt is feared Vlad may begin to chemical weapons on civilians like he did in SyriaBrits have been told to leave Russia – but there are no direct flights to the UKRussian troops are now 20 miles from another nuke plant amid fears of a catastrophe in UkraineDramatic footage showed the moment a Russian helicopter was blown out of the sky by UkraineRussia losses are mounting – and Vlad has lost at least three army commanders in the fightingF1 driver Nikita Mazepin – son of Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin – was sacked by the Haas team An official statement by Ukraine reads: “During the execution of special tasks, three spies were killed – employees of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. “The fate of Alexei Ivanovich, Chibineev Valery Viktorovich, Denis Borisovich Kireev. “They perished defending Ukraine, and their rank brought us closer to victory!” “We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims. “Heroes do not die! They live as long as we remember them! “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to heroes!” Mr Kireev was present during the first round of Russia-Ukraine talks in Belarus. Read our Russia – Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates Russian broadsheet Pravda reported tonight that Ukraine had “clear evidence” of his “treason”, including phone conversations. Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has previously discussed the challenges faced by officials during talks between the two countries. “Negotiations were efficient, they listened to us… we listened to them,” he said. “But we will definitely need the humanitarian corridors. “We need them to help our people and liberate them.” Meanwhile, Putin has today made a direct threat to the UK. More info The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund The tyrant raged that Western sanctions against his regime are like a “declaration of war”. In a rambling speech broadcast on state media, which is banned from reporting how his invasion has stalled against a brave Ukrainian resistance, he lashed out at the crippling sanctions in place. “These sanctions that are being imposed are akin to a declaration of war but thank God it has not come to that,” the president said. Later his foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova issued a sinister threat to the UK. She said: “Russia will not forget Britain’s desire to co-operate with ultra-nationalist forces in Ukraine and the supply of British weapons to the Kyiv regime. “The sanctions hysteria in which London plays one of the leading, if not the main, roles, leaves us no choice but to take proportionately tough retaliatory measures. Most read in News SHAMEFUL Mum & dad weep over baby killed by Russians as Putin ignores ceasefire in Ukraine WARPATH Putin's direct threat to UK as he rages at ‘declaration of WAR’ sanctions WAR TALK Trump claims he told Putin that US would bomb MOSCOW if Russia attacked Ukraine SHAMEFUL Russia accused of BOMBING city just hours after promising to let civilians escape HORRORS OF WAR Heartbreaking picture shows baby carried to safety from Russian blast rubble HAIL OF BULLETS Terrifying moment Putin's troops ambush & shoot 2 Brit reporters in Ukraine “London has made a final choice of open confrontation with Russia.” While Russia is battered at home economically, Putin’s forces are also seeing themselves getting beaten back in Ukraine. Kyiv today claimed their defence forces have now killed or captured more than 10,000 Russian soldiers. APThe conflict, which has seen more than 1m Ukrainians forced from their homes, worsens by the day[/caption] AFPTinpot dictator Putin warned the West’s sanctions are a ‘declaration of war’[/caption] AFPDesperate residents of Irpin fled today amid the bombardment[/caption]