An armed confrontation between Ukraine’s internal security service and its military intelligence branch in Kyiv left three reconnaissance operatives wounded and triggered a sharp rebuke from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The incident on September 2, 2026, erupted in the capital’s Desnianskyi district during a disputed operation involving a high-ranking volunteer fighter, according to reports from The Guardian and Paragraf.bg.
Clash Erupts in Kyiv Between SBU and HUR Operatives
The daytime shootout drew an immediate heavy police response, closing several streets in the capital as gunfire echoed through residential neighborhoods and left bloodstains on the ground, Paragraf.bg reported. The violent dispute involved the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), two of the nation’s primary security apparatuses. According to The Guardian, the SBU functions similarly to the FBI in the United States or MI5 in the British domestic sphere, while the HUR handles military reconnaissance and specialized combat operations.
Three HUR personnel sustained injuries during the crossfire, as confirmed by sources cited in Ukrayinska Pravda and reported by Paragraf.bg. Local residents reported hearing numerous gunshots, and law enforcement quickly cordoned off the surrounding blocks. While initial social media rumors suggested fatalities, those claims remained unconfirmed by official channels.
Conflicting Accounts Over the Arrest of Stepan Kaplunov
The armed clash centered on the disputed status of Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps. The military unit consists of Russian nationals fighting on the Ukraine side and operates under military intelligence, as detailed by The Guardian. In Russia, the organization is officially designated as a terrorist group and banned.
The SBU stated that its operatives were conducting a targeted raid regarding an alleged plot to assassinate a Russian opposition figure who had arrived in Ukraine for Independence Day celebrations on August 24. According to the SBU’s account reported by Paragraf.bg, the investigative team faced an armed assault from defense force members who blocked their vehicles and attempted to obstruct the search. The SBU’s Alpha special operations center returned fire to suppress the resistance, resulting in injuries among the armed individuals.
Conversely, military intelligence offered a sharply divergent narrative. The commander of the “Timur” special unit—which encompasses the Russian Volunteer Corps—claimed that SBU agents opened fire on unarmed HUR personnel, accusing the internal security service of “abducting” Kaplunov from his home, The Guardian reported. Kaplunov’s defense attorney later confirmed his release, though his immediate whereabouts remained unclear following the incident.
President Zelenskyy Condemns the Shootout and Dismisses Official
The breakdown in coordination drew an uncompromising condemnation from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Labeling the situation “absolutely disgraceful,” Zelenskyy demanded a thorough investigation by the prosecutor general’s office and investigative bodies, according to The Guardian.
“Here, in Ukraine, shooting is permissible exclusively against the Russian occupiers in defense of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated, as reported by The Guardian. The Ukrainian leader summoned the heads of both security structures for a formal accounting. In the wake of the violence, Zelenskyy dismissed senior SBU official Oleh Khramov, who previously led the department responsible for state secret protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the armed clash between the SBU and HUR in Kyiv?
According to The Guardian and Paragraf.bg, the shootout stemmed from an SBU operation linked to the detention of Stepan Kaplunov, a deputy commander in the Russian Volunteer Corps. The SBU stated it was investigating a security threat when it faced armed resistance, while HUR commanders claimed SBU agents opened fire on unarmed intelligence personnel.
Who was injured in the Kyiv security services shootout?
Paragraf.bg reported, citing Ukrayinska Pravda, that three members of Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) sustained injuries during the crossfire. The SBU also reported that individuals who resisted their investigative team suffered wounds.
What action did President Zelenskyy take following the incident?
President Zelenskyy called the clash disgraceful, ordered a full investigation by prosecutors, demanded explanations from the agency chiefs, and dismissed senior SBU official Oleh Khramov, according to The Guardian.
Pro Tip: When following fast-moving security developments in Kyiv, cross-reference official statements from the SBU and military intelligence with independent reporting from verified Ukrainian outlets like Ukrayinska Pravda to track shifting institutional narratives.
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