{
  "id": 5410829,
  "title": "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.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/ukraines-sbu-accuses-russian-volunteer-corps-deputy-commander-stepan",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T20:19:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Meduza (English)",
    "slug": "meduza-english",
    "url": "https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/09/03/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"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, is accused by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) of working for the FSB and plotting an assassination attempt against an opposition leader during Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24. The SBU claims Kaplunov was caught in a scheme orchestrated by the Russian security services and was attempting to eliminate Ukrainian Defense Forces fighters. However, Kaplunov claims he was tortured and coerced into making the confessions video released by the SBU. The Russian Volunteer Corps also released a statement, alleging that he was abducted and subjected to physical and psychological pressure. Kaplunov's lawyer claims the confession was filmed \"in captivity, under pressure, through torture and death threats.\" The SBU suggests the alleged plot was foiled just days after a shootout with Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) in Kyiv.",
  "summary": "Stepan Kaplunov, the deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, was in contact with Russian security services and was tasked with preparing an assassination attempt against one of the leaders of Russia’s opposition movement who planned to travel to Ukraine, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "3 HUR fighters wounded in Kyiv shootout, 1 seriously, RDK deputy commander says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/3-hur-fighters-wounded-in-kyiv-shootout-1-seriously-rdk-deputy",
        "published": "2026-09-03T14:56:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Insider",
        "title": "Commander of strategic bomber division responsible for Russian strike on children’s hospital in Kyiv shot near air base",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/commander-of-strategic-bomber-division-responsible-for-russian-strike",
        "published": "2026-09-03T17:11:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "Russian drones struck Coca-Cola plant outside Kyiv, Zelenskyy says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/russian-drones-struck-coca-cola-plant-outside-kyiv-zelenskyy-says",
        "published": "2026-09-03T21:23:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}