Ukraine’s SBU accuses Russian Volunteer Corps deputy commander Stepan Kaplunov of working for the FSB and plotting an Independence Day assassination. He says he was tortured into confessing.
Ukraine's Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has accused Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, of working for the FSB. The SBU claims Kaplunov plotted an assassination for Independence Day. Kaplunov denies the allegations and asserts that his confession was obtained through torture. This accusation emerges amid broader instability within Kyiv's intelligence community, which recently saw a violent confrontation between rival security units. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the internal fighting between spy services as shameful and disgraceful.
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- ✓ President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described a shootout between Kyiv's spy services as shameful and disgraceful.
- ✓ Zelenskyy fired a secret service official following a firefight between Ukrainian intelligence agencies in Kyiv.
What changed
The SBU has formally accused Stepan Kaplunov of plotting an Independence Day assassination and collaborating with the FSB.
Live updates
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SBU Accuses Russian Volunteer Corps Deputy Commander of FSB Ties
Ukraine's Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has accused Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, of working for the FSB. The SBU claims Kaplunov plotted an assassination for Independence Day. Kaplunov denies the allegations and asserts that his confession was obtained through torture. This accusation emerges amid broader instability within Kyiv's intelligence community, which recently saw a violent confrontation between rival security units. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the internal fighting between spy services as shameful and disgraceful.
Why it matters
The Russian Volunteer Corps consists of Russian citizens fighting alongside Ukraine. Internal conflict between Ukrainian intelligence agencies suggests friction in security coordination during the ongoing war.
What is confirmed
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described a shootout between Kyiv's spy services as shameful and disgraceful.
- Zelenskyy fired a secret service official following a firefight between Ukrainian intelligence agencies in Kyiv.
Still unconfirmed
- Stepan Kaplunov was tortured into providing a confession to the SBU.
What to watch next
- Official response from the Russian Volunteer Corps regarding Kaplunov's status.
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (10)
- news.sky.com — Ukraine war: Russia responds to Zelenskyy's civil aviation threat
- The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: ‘Shameful’ – Zelenskyy furious after shootout between Kyiv’s spy services
- Bloomberg.com — Zelenskyy Fires Secret Service Official After Kyiv Shootout
- Al Jazeera — Ukrainian intel agencies in Kyiv firefight: What happened and why?
- The New York Times — Rival Ukrainian Intelligence Units Open Fire Against Each Other in Kyiv
- The Guardian — Shootout in Kyiv between Ukrainian spy services ‘disgraceful’, says Zelenskyy
- The Moscow Times — Ukraine’s SBU Accuses Russian Volunteer Corps Commander of Plotting to Kill Opposition Figure
- Meduza — Ukraine’s SBU accuses Russian Volunteer Corps deputy commander Stepan Kaplunov of working for the FSB and plotting an Independence Day assassination. He says he was tortured into confessing.
- The Times — Double agents, spy wars and the Russian Putin wants dead
- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — Alleged Confession Video Raises More Questions About Ukrainian Security Agencies' Shoot-Out
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