Ukraine’s two spy agencies exchange fire in extraordinary daytime shootout in Kyiv

President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Ukraine ’s domestic and military intelligence agencies over a “disgraceful” shootout that erupted between agents in the streets of Kyiv on Wednesday.

The armed confrontation broke out between Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), and State Security Service (SBU), over the detention of Stepan Kaplunov — the deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC). Three officers were reported to have been injured.

The RVC is a paramilitary unit composed of anti-Kremlin dissidents fighting for Kyiv, and operates directly under Ukraine's military intelligence services.

SBU agents had initially taken Kaplunov into custody late in August, claiming that he was helping to orchestrate a foiled Russian assassination plot .

But since, HUR personnel and Kaplunov's lawyers have accused SBU officers of illegally detaining him without a warrant.

The confrontation escalated in the early hours of Wednesday, when SBU agents brought Kaplunov back to his residence for a search, prompting armed HUR officers to intervene.

According to law enforcement, an argument at the scene escalated into a standoff and an exchange of gunfire.

Kaplunov’s lawyer says that he has since been released from custody but his whereabouts are unknown.

The Ukrainian president has since issued a decree dismissing Oleh Khramov, a senior SBU official, in direct connection to the incident.

The Prosecutor General's Office and the State Bureau of Investigation have launched a criminal probe to establish responsibility for the shooting.

It is not the first time friction between both agencies has become an armed confrontation.

In March 2022, SBU officers shot dead Denys Kireyev, a member of Ukraine's peace delegation, who was later identified as a HUR asset.

In an address delivered on Thursday, Zelensky said: “Here in Ukraine, shooting is only permissible at Russian occupiers in defence of Ukraine.

“Our state will not perceive any other shootout as something that anyone is allowed to do. reiterated that state weapons may strictly be used only against invading Russian forces.”