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🇵🇱 Poland /Conflict & Security

SBU and HUR gunfight in Kyiv: Ukrainian services reveal the background

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Ukraine’s SBU said it thwarted an alleged plot, ordered by Russia’s FSB, to assassinate a Russian opposition figure visiting Ukraine.
  • The agency linked the alleged plot to Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps within Ukraine’s military intelligence, and said the case triggered a gunfight with HUR personnel in Kyiv.
  • Kaplunov’s lawyer said he faced pressure, while HUR accused the SBU of conducting a discrediting campaign against the intelligence service.

A suspected assassination plot involving a Russian opposition figure has exposed a bitter dispute between Ukraine’s two main security services, after SBU and HUR personnel exchanged fire in Kyiv.

The Security Service of Ukraine said it prevented an attack allegedly ordered by Russia’s Federal Security Service. The intended target was reportedly Akhmed Zakayev, former prime minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and leader of its government in exile. The attack was allegedly planned for Ukraine’s Independence Day on Aug. 24.

an entirely unacceptable conflict situation that led to a shootout

· SBUThe agency’s description of the confrontation with HUR personnel during the investigation.

The SBU identified Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps’ HUR-linked International Legion unit, as the alleged plotter. It said Kaplunov admitted contacting the FSB and passing on information, which allowed investigators to establish the chain of people connected to the planned crime. The agency said he was not detained because he had acknowledged those contacts and was cooperating with the investigation.

To carry out this campaign, its organizers plan to involve media, bloggers and Telegram channels of questionable reputation, including for payment. We appeal for trust only in verified sources of information.

· HURHUR’s response to the SBU’s allegations and its claim that the service was being discredited.

The SBU described the subsequent confrontation with HUR as “an entirely unacceptable conflict situation that led to a shootout.” It also called the gunfight, which took place early on Sept. 2 in Kyiv, “an unacceptable situation.” The agency released a video in which Kaplunov appeared to admit cooperating with Russian officials.

Kaplunov’s lawyer disputed that account, saying the video had been recorded under pressure and that his client had received death threats. HUR said it was facing a campaign aimed at discrediting the service, involving media outlets, bloggers and Telegram channels of questionable reputation. Kaplunov himself claimed the case was intended to implicate officials linked to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former HUR chief Kyrylo Budanov. He said acting SBU head Oleksandr Poklad personally pressured him after his alleged abduction on Aug. 23.

I, Stepan Kaplunov, was abducted on Aug. 23 by SBU officers in a gangster-like manner.

· Stepan KaplunovKaplunov’s account of his detention and allegations of pressure by the SBU.
About this summary

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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