Klitschko: 10 injured in Kyiv in Russian attack

On September 2, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) and Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) claimed they prevented a terrorist plot orchestrated by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) against a prominent figure of a Russian opposition political movement. The SBU did not disclose the individual's identity, but it was confirmed by RBC-Ukraine's sources that the man in question is Stepan Kaplunov, the deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, a unit fighting for Ukraine in Kyiv.

Prior to this incident, the Russian Volunteer Corps had reported Kaplunov's abduction from his home, but the unit had not received any clear information regarding his whereabouts or the charges against him.

Kaplunov was born in Ivanovo and served in the Russian army, including in Syria. He opposed Vladimir Putin's regime but abstained from vocal dissent until the annexation of Crimea in 2014, after which he moved to Ukraine and joined the Ukrainian Azov regiment. Astra, an independent Telegram channel, and a source in Russian law enforcement have labeled Kaplunov as a neo-Nazi, citing photos on his Instagram account that allegedly show executed Russian prisoners of war.

However, Kaplunov identifies as a "Ukrainian nationalist" and denies ever harboring neo-Nazi or racist views.

Following the incident, Ukrainian Telegram channels reported gunfire occurring in Kyiv's Dniprovskyi district, potentially connected to Kaplunov's detention or abduction. The lawyer representing Kaplunov's deputy commander posted video of the scene, indicating that law enforcement officers arrived at the serviceman's home, prompting fellow servicemen to gather "on alert."

Subsequently, a shootout ensued between security forces. The SBU clarified that officers were conducting "urgent investigative measures" in response to a "terrorist attack organized by the FSB," during which a "group of people" assaulted SBU officers, attempting to obstruct the investigation. In response, the SBU called in Alpha unit fighters, who opened fire to suppress the resistance and detained the attackers, reportedly belonging to one of Ukraine's Defense Forces units.

Preliminary reports suggested that the conflict may have stemmed from a dispute between security services over the protection of fraudulent call centers. A security services source from Strana, who could not identify the precise reason for the conflict or Kaplunov's detention, suggested that it might be linked to such a dispute.

The source also mentioned that unknown individuals abducted Kaplunov and brought him to Shumska Street, where HUR special forces attempted to detain them. However, these individuals turned out to be SBU special forces. Commanders from both SBU and HUR units arrived at the scene, shook hands, and seemingly resolved the situation.

However, additional SBU representatives arrived and began detaining HUR officers, leading to another shootout with injuries reported on both sides. The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Prosecutor General's Office are currently handling the matter involving the shooting, emphasizing that no one has the right to abduct servicemen without consequence, and that open fire on city streets or issuing and carrying out criminal orders is unacceptable.