President Zelenskyy announced the dismissal of deputy heads from Ukraine's Security Service and Defence Intelligence after a shootout occurred between employees of the two agencies.
Key facts
- •President Zelenskyy confirmed that deputy heads of the SSU and DIU will be dismissed for their responsibility in the standoff.
- •Two participants in the shooting, one from the SSU and one from the DIU, have been issued suspicion notices.
- •The incident was linked to the disappearance of Stepan Kaplunov, a deputy commander in the Russian Volunteer Corps.
- •Kaplunov alleged he was held in a secret prison and threatened by SSU officers, while the SSU claimed he was involved in a foiled terrorist plot.
- •The State Bureau of Investigation is currently conducting a pre-trial investigation into the confrontation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that the deputy heads of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) will be dismissed following a shootout involving personnel from both agencies. Two individuals, an SSU officer and a DIU serviceman, have already received suspicion notices regarding the incident. Zelenskyy stated that further assessments of the agencies' leadership will follow the conclusion of an internal investigation.
Background of the Incident
The conflict reportedly began following the disappearance of Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander for combat operations of the Russian Volunteer Corps. On 2 September, reports emerged of a shootout in Kyiv's Dniprovskyi district, which was linked to Kaplunov's abduction. The SSU initially claimed that it had worked with the DIU to foil a terrorist attack against a Russian opposition figure, while Kaplunov's lawyer stated the serviceman had been released but remained missing.
Confessions and Allegations
On 3 September, the SSU released a video of Kaplunov admitting to links with Russia's Federal Security Service and alleging he was recruited to assassinate Ukrainian personnel. Kaplunov subsequently claimed he was abducted by SSU officers and held in a secret prison, where he was threatened. His lawyer maintains that the confession was made under duress. The State Bureau of Investigation has opened a pre-trial investigation into the confrontation.
Timeline
- 1 SeptemberThe Russian Volunteer Corps reported that deputy commander Stepan Kaplunov had been abducted.
- 2 SeptemberReports emerged of a shootout in Kyiv's Dniprovskyi district between SSU and DIU personnel.
- 3 SeptemberThe SSU released a video of Kaplunov, who later alleged he had been held in a secret prison.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Ukrainska Pravda (English).
