Ukrainian intelligence thwarted a plot to assassinate Defense Minister Oleksij Resnikov and detained two alleged Russian spies, Ukraine's intelligence chief Kyrilo Budanov said today.

"Assassins from Russian special units who were planning attacks have been arrested," the Ukrainian secret service SBU said on the Telegram platform, and also released a video of the arrest of two men, dressed in civilian clothes.

The two suspects were arrested in Kovel, in northwestern Ukraine. One of them had arrived in the country through Belarus, the Ukrainian secret service said.

The men were to receive a total reward of 294,000 euros if they succeeded in assassinating Resnikov and Budanov, the SBU advanced.

Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine on February 24 that has killed more than 5,000 civilians, according to the UN, which warns that the actual number is likely to be much higher.

The Russian invasion was condemned by the international community at large, which responded by sending arms to Ukraine and strengthening economic and political sanctions on Moscow.