In the early hours in Kyiv, a violent confrontation broke out between the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and military intelligence (HUR) officers. The shootout occurred during an investigation into a suspected Russian plot targeting Stepan Kaplunov, a leader within the Russian Volunteer Corps.

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The SBU-HUR shootout over Stepan Kaplunov

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the military intelligence agency (HUR) engaged in a direct armed confrontation in the streets of Kyiv.. According to the SBU,the clash began when individuals attempted to obstruct an investigation into a potential Russian terrorist plot. The target of this alleged plot was Stepan Kaplunov, the deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), who had reportedly been abducted from his residence a few days prior.

The SBU reported that the attackers used vehicles to block law enforcement and opened fire, leading to injuries among the group. Upon detaining the suspects, SBU officers discovered the individuals were members of a unit belonging to the HUR . This internal friction has prompted President Volodymyr Zelensky to reprimand the heads of both security agencies and demand public transparency regarding the incident.

Echoes of the 2022 Denys Kireyev death

This violent friction between Ukraine's intelligence services is not an isolated occurrence in the capital. The Kyiv Independent reported that a similar breakdown in coordination led to the death of banker Denys Kireyev in March 2022.. Kireyev, who worked for the HUR, was found dead in central Kyiv after being thrown from a van, an incident that sparked accusations of internal sabotage.

At the time, Kyrylo Budanov, the current head of the HUR, denied allegations of involvement and instead accused the SBU of responsibility. President Zelensky’s office eventually attributed Kireyev's death to the chaotic lack of communication between special services during the early stages of the Russian invasion. The current shootout suggests that these institutional rivalries remain a volatile element of Ukraine's domestic security landscape .

Seven days of Russian drone strikes on Kyiv

The internal security crisis in Kyiv unfolded simultaneously with an intensified Russian aerial campaign. for seven consecutive days, Russian drones have targeted the Ukrainian capital, causing significant damage to residential areas and educational institutions. On Wednesday, a strike on a downtown university forced approximately 160 students and staff to seek immediate shelter, according to President Zelensky.

Beyond the capital, Russian missile and drone strikes have also crippled infrastructure in the Odesa region. Authorities reported that these attacks on power facilities resulted in electricity being cut off for more than 350,000 households. This surge in aerial aggression comes as Ukraine faces a critical shortage of US-designed missile interceptors needed to defend against Moscow's ballistic threats.

Who authorized the abduction of the RVC deputy commander?

Several critical details regarding the Kaplunov investigation remain unverified by official sources. While the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) claimed via Telegram that Kaplunov was abducted from his courtyard, the following points remain unclear:

  • The legitimacy of the HUR's involvement: It is unknown if the unit involved in the shootout was acting on a sanctioned intelligence operation or as a rogue element .
  • The source of the alleged plot: The SBU has not provided specific details on the origin of the Russian terrorist threat against Kaplunov.
  • The motive for the obstruction: The exact reason why military intelligence officers allegedly used vehicles to block SBU law enforcement remains unconfirmed.