A man accused of being a ‘poisoner’ is facing serious charges of high treason and terrorism for allegedly attempting to eliminate a group of Russian air force pilots by contaminating their cake and Irish whiskey during an aviation school reunion.

Yegor Semenov, 34, may face a life sentence if found guilty in his forthcoming trial within a military court. Russian prosecutors claim he was enlisted by the Ukrainian military intelligence to execute this mass poisoning plot.

Reports indicate that boxes of Jameson Irish Whiskey and an enormous cake—both poisoned—were sent to a reunion at the Armavir Higher Military Aviation School, where nearly 80 guests gathered, including numerous airmen who participated in the conflict.

Semenov was arrested last year after being pinpointed as the individual responsible for the poisoning efforts. Allegedly, he placed an order for the cake from a nearby bakery and can be seen in video footage purchasing the whiskey bottles.

As the charges against him for high treason and terrorism have surfaced, he has been seen publicly for the first time as he awaits his military trial in Rostov-on-Don. During the festivities, a 20-kilogram cake was prepared but ultimately not consumed after a senior officer grew suspicious about its source.

CCTV footage and facial recognition technology led authorities to identify Semenov, who hails from Melitopol, a region currently under occupation in Ukraine. It was reported that he possessed a Russian passport but was allegedly recruited by the intelligence services in Kyiv.

An unverified report indicated that both the cake and whiskey had been laced with the medical drug cordiamine, which is known to potentially induce seizures, convulsions, cardiovascular strain, and severe respiratory issues.

Semenov, a powerlifter who had been involved in the installation of video surveillance systems, was taken into custody and reportedly admitted to the attempted poisoning. “He quickly divulged everything—about the cake containing a potent toxin, which bottles had been poisoned from the start, and which he had purchased to supplement the gift,” shared the Fighterbomber Telegram channel.

“He detailed how he was aware of the guest count and the venue for the celebration. Even the emblem of the aviation school, sketched atop the cake, was the latest design.”

The channel reported: “Fortunately, due to the diligence of the officers who set aside the anonymous cake and alcohol, there was no opportunity for anyone to consume the cake or drink the alcohol. It could have resulted in a catastrophe. There were 77 guests. Semenov was apprehended at Stavropol airport as he was attempting to depart from Russia, as alleged.

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