Internal Strife Erupts Between Ukraine's Intelligence Agencies: A Shootout in Kyiv

In a shocking incident on Wednesday morning, a shootout erupted between two of Ukraine's leading intelligence agencies, resulting in injuries to at least three security officials. The clash involved the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), which oversees military foreign intelligence, and the State Security Service (SBU), focused on domestic counterterrorism efforts. This alarming event underscores a deepening rift within Ukraine's security framework.

The confrontation occurred in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv after the SBU detained Stepan Kaplunov, the deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), which operates under HUR's jurisdiction. In a statement, the Prosecutor General's Office indicated that SBU personnel were acting on orders to thwart an alleged terrorist plot linked to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). However, during their operations, they faced armed resistance, reportedly from HUR personnel.

Eyewitness reports and statements from officials reveal that HUR officers attempted to disrupt the SBU's investigation, leading to a chaotic exchange of gunfire. The commander of HUR's special unit, known as “Timur,” accused the SBU of initiating the violence by firing upon HUR agents. One HUR officer sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and is currently hospitalized, while two others were also injured, underscoring the seriousness of this internal conflict.

Kaplunov, a Russian national who relocated to Ukraine following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, has been actively defending Ukraine since joining the RVC in 2022. His detention has raised eyebrows, particularly as he claims he was abducted and interrogated due to unsubstantiated links to the FSB. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the incident as “absolutely disgraceful” and stressed the need for accountability within the security services.

Following the shootout, Zelenskyy announced the dismissal of Oleg Khramov, head of the SBU’s Department for the Protection of State Secrets, and called for a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable. His commitment to internal order is reflective of broader efforts to stabilize Ukraine's security apparatus amid ongoing tensions with Russia.

The incident is part of a larger trend of restructuring within Ukraine’s security institutions as the nation grapples with an escalating conflict with Russia. Earlier this year, Zelenskyy removed several top security officials, including SBU head Vasyl Maliuk, aiming to enhance coordination among the agencies tasked with national security. These changes are seen as a response to both internal conflicts and external threats, as well as ongoing anti-corruption investigations targeting high-profile figures.

Source: www.aljazeera.com