Ukraine releases image of 'body of traitor MP' and video 'showing murderer lurking' before MP shot dead in Moscow – as Kiev warns of 'criminals defecting to enemy'

Ukrainian intelligence today revealed chilling images from the scene of the murder of Ilya Kyva, a “traitor” and former Kiev MP who became a puppet of Putin.

Kyva, 46, was shot last week while walking in a supposedly safe location near Moscow.

Footage from the scene shows his body lying in the snow – and the weapons used to 'liquidate' him were discovered hanging from a tree nearby.

The SBU secret service made it clear that the images and footage were deliberately released as a warning to other Ukrainians working with Vladimir Putin's invading forces.

A source said: “This is a signal to all traitors and war criminals who have sided with the enemy.

“Remember, Russia will not protect you.

“As the head of the SBU Vasily Malyuk previously noted, death is the only prospect that awaits Ukraine's enemies.”

The crime scene footage was taken on the well-guarded grounds of Velich Country Club, which is believed to be a safe house for the slain Ukrainian.

The club is just 20 kilometers from Putin's main official residence, Novo-Ogarevo, outside Moscow, and less than 48 kilometers from the Kremlin.

Kyva reportedly lived with a friend at the club, which had hotel facilities and “good security.”

A video taken by the alleged killer at the scene shortly before the shooting shows the killer waiting among the snow and trees, waiting for a man to walk by.

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

“There's a red carpet going around, a chair, a way to the bus,” he joked as he showed off his surroundings before pointing the camera at a figure walking through the snowbank several dozen feet away. It is unclear whether that figure was Kyva.

The Russian Investigative Committee is now investigating the murder.

Kyva, a Kremlin propagandist who appeared on obedient state television programs, had claimed that Zelensky was an MI6 stooge and cocaine addict.

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

In 2019, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Ukrainian presidency, but then turned to Russia. He asked Putin for political asylum and a Russian passport.

Earlier this year, he was given a fourteen-year prison sentence for high treason in a trial that was held in absentia because Kyva had already fled to live in Russia.

Hours before he died, Kyva had predicted in his last social media post that a defeated Volodymyr Zelensky would be forced to flee to Britain.

“Zelensky's only option is to flee to England, but even from there he will be extradited if it is beneficial for the Crown or die if necessary for the Kremlin,” he said.

Speaking about the assassination, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said: “Regardless of the Kyva incident, it is very important that anyone who is in one way or another actively cooperating with the Russian occupation governments understands that their risks are extreme, even if they are on Russian territory.'

“Of course, the activities and capabilities of the Ukrainian special services have grown tremendously over the past two years.

“The risks for such people will be maintained or even multiplied.”

Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov also made it clear that his state was responsible for the killing.

“We can confirm that (Ilya) Kyva is the real deal,” he said.

“This is the fate that befalls Ukraine's biggest traitors, as well as the accomplices of the Putin regime.

'He was one of the greatest and most disgusting villains, a traitor and collaborator.

'So here we can only say that justice… has different forms…

'Characters like Kyva among others… unfortunately there are still plenty of them in Russia.'