Zelensky Orders Dismissal of SBU, HUR Deputy Chiefs Over Shootout in Kyiv
A shootout between personnel from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) took place in Kyiv on Wednesday, Sept. 2, linked to a case reportedly involving the deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK). Later that day, President Volodymyr Zelensky called the incident “absolutely disgraceful” and demanded accountability. On Thursday, Sept. 3,…
President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered the dismissal of the deputy heads of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) and Military Intelligence (HUR) following a shootout between personnel from the two agencies in Kyiv. The incident occurred on Sept. 2 in the Dniprovskyi district of the capital, where SBU officers clashed with HUR military personnel while investigating a Russian espionage attempt, possibly involving Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) deputy commander Stepan Kaplunov.
Zelensky, in an address to the nation, affirmed that he had already discussed the matter with Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, confirming that the two suspects had been identified. He stated that the "deputy heads who bear responsibility for this situation will be dismissed" and emphasized the need for accountability, as both agencies acted "absolutely unacceptable."
The RDK is a military unit composed of Russian nationals fighting for Ukraine against Moscow. Earlier that day, the SBU had collaborated with HUR to thwart a Russian FSB attack against a Russian opposition leader visiting Ukraine for Independence Day. Despite reporting Kaplunov's disappearance to Ukrainian law enforcement, his whereabouts remain unknown.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Presidential Office and former HUR chief, called for a thorough, impartial investigation and denounced any criminal actions against servicemen.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
