Shooting between Ukrainian secret services in the center of Kiev: Zelensky's fury

A shooting between Ukrainian intelligence services in central Kyiv has sparked heightened security concerns and raised questions over potential collusion between Russian and Ukrainian forces. The incident occurred on the morning of September 2, with reports initially emerging on social media platforms. Witnesses described gunfire, injuries, and individuals being detained in the Kyiv district of Berezniki. Local authorities closed traffic on both sides of Jurii Shumskogo Street and redirected public transport due to police blockades. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) later confirmed that the shooting was not related to a typical criminal incident. According to the agency, its operatives were conducting investigative actions within the framework of an operation linked to a suspected terrorist plot by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). A statement from the General State Prosecutor’s Office noted that during these investigative activities, there had been an armed attack on members of the SBU. The SBU subsequently released a more detailed account of the events. According to the SBU, its operational-investigative group was carrying out urgent investigative actions on one of its locations, aimed at collecting and documenting evidence in the case of a suspected terrorist attack organized by the FSB. At that time, the group reportedly faced an attack by multiple armed individuals. “During the investigation on one of the locations, the group of individuals carried out an armed attack on the SBU operational-investigative group. They attempted to prevent the investigative actions and blocked the passage for law enforcement personnel using a vehicle,” the SBU stated. In response, elite unit Alpha, operating under the Special Operations Center of the SBU, intervened. “During the suppression of the armed resistance, law enforcement personnel used weapons,” the service added. Several individuals who resisted the investigators were injured, while the attackers were detained. The situation took a more sensitive turn when it became clear who the detainees were. “During initial investigative actions, it was determined that the detained individuals belonged to one of Ukraine’s defense units. Weapons and documents were seized from them,” the SBU reported. Initially, the agency did not name the specific unit involved. However, a spokesperson for President Zelensky’s communication council, Dmitry Litvin, informed journalists that both the SBU and the State Security Service (GUR) were involved in the incident. These two institutions play a crucial role in Ukraine’s war effort. The SBU serves as the country’s internal security and intelligence agency, investigating Russian espionage, sabotage, and cooperation with Moscow. The GUR, meanwhile, is the military intelligence service responsible for operations deep behind enemy lines and on Russian territory. As such, the public armed confrontation between members of these agencies has drawn particular attention from Ukrainian authorities. During wartime, these services must frequently collaborate and exchange information, making the incident especially sensitive. The shooting is connected to a broader narrative involving the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC). Earlier, the SBU had announced that it had thwarted a terrorist plot by the FSB targeting a leader of a Russian opposition nationalist movement. According to a source cited by Kyiv Independent, the target was Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps for combat operations. The RVC consists of Russian citizens fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russian troops. Kaplunov was in Kyiv for the celebration of Ukraine’s Independence Day on August 24. Days after the event, a confusing sequence of developments unfolded around Kaplunov. On September 1, the RVC posted on Telegram that unknown individuals had kidnapped Kaplunov on the grounds of his home. The head of the RVC’s staff, Oleksandr Fortuna, also claimed that Kaplunov had disappeared in Kyiv. Meanwhile, the SBU announced that it had prevented a Russian plot to assassinate the leader of a Russian opposition movement. Ukrainian media linked the two accounts. An additional layer to the story emerged through Kaplunov’s lawyer, who stated that the SBU and GUR had reached an agreement on September 1 evening regarding the search of Kaplunov’s residence and his surrender to the military intelligence service. However, the following day, the situation escalated into the armed conflict that led to the current circumstances.