Ukraine's SBU Accuses Russian Volunteer Corps Commander of Assassination Plot

Ukraine’s SBU security service alleged Thursday that a commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, a unit of far-right Russians fighting alongside Ukrainian forces, was recruited by Moscow to assassinate a Russian opposition figure. In a statement, the SBU, without identifying the commander by name, claimed that the “individual” was in contact with Russia’s FSB security service and tasked with “preparing the assassination” of an opposition figure who was expected to arrive in Ukraine on Aug. 24, when the country celebrates its national day of independence. The Ukrainian agency said the accused commander gave a confession and provided information that helped it identify other people said to have been involved in the assassination plot. It did not identify the targeted Russian opposition figure. While the SBU did not explicitly name the Russian Volunteer Corps commander, a confession video attached to its statement appears to show Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of combat operations for the unit. Kaplunov, who Ukrainian media previously reported was the target of the assassination plot, told Ukraine’s Radio NV that SBU officers “kidnapped” him and forced him to deliver a false confession under duress. Denying any links to the FSB, Kaplunov accused the SBU of attempting to fabricate charges against senior officials within Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence agency. In its own statement, the HUR, which directly oversees the Russian Volunteer Corps, warned that a “targeted disinformation campaign” was being carried out against it. It did not specify who was carrying out that alleged campaign. The apparent infighting follows a shootout between SBU and HUR officers in Kyiv earlier this week. Ukrainian law enforcement authorities launched a criminal investigation into the armed clash, while President Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded a public explanation for the “absolutely disgraceful situation” from both security agencies.