A shootout between two Ukrainian intelligence agencies resulted in injuries to at least three security officials on Wednesday morning in Kyiv's Dniprovskyi district. The incident involved the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) and the State Security Service (SBU), with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling it an 'absolutely disgraceful situation.'
The conflict arose after the SBU detained Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), which operates under HUR. According to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office, SBU officers were acting on orders to prevent a 'terrorist act' from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
During a search, a group allegedly attacked the SBU operational-investigative team, attempting to obstruct law enforcement activities. Reports indicate that the attackers were affiliated with HUR. Dmytro Lytvyn, an adviser to the president, confirmed the involvement of both agencies in the shootout.
The commander of HUR's special unit accused the SBU of kidnapping Kaplunov and initiating the gunfire. Taras Borovskyi, a lawyer for Kaplunov, reported that one HUR officer was hospitalized with a leg injury, another was in serious condition, and a third suffered minor injuries.
Kaplunov, a Russian national who moved to Ukraine after the annexation of Crimea in 2014, has been defending Ukraine since joining the RVC in 2022. He was reportedly interrogated over alleged contacts with the FSB.
In response to the incident, President Zelenskyy stated that accountability measures must be taken against those involved and that internal investigations are necessary within both agencies. He dismissed Oleg Khramov, head of the SBU’s Department for the Protection of State Secrets.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Presidential Office, called for a thorough investigation, emphasizing that no one should act with impunity. The incident occurs amid ongoing reforms within Ukraine's security establishment as the country continues to confront the war with Russia.
Zelenskyy has previously made significant personnel changes in the security sector, including the removal of Vasyl Maliuk as head of the SBU and the appointment of new leaders in military intelligence. These changes are seen as part of an effort to enhance political coordination among security institutions.
The reshuffling follows corruption investigations involving senior figures close to Zelenskyy, raising concerns about the relationship between the presidential administration and anti-corruption agencies. In November, a corruption scandal implicated Zelenskyy’s associates, leading to public outcry and protests against attempts to limit the autonomy of anti-corruption bodies.