Security Service-Defence Intelligence standoff in Kyiv: two servicemen served with notices of suspicion

State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) officers have opened a pre-trial investigation into the circumstances of a confrontation between Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) officers and servicemen of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), which occurred in Kyiv the previous day.

Source: State Bureau of Investigation; Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko on social media

Details: Information has been entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under Article 365.2, Article 345.3 and Article 348 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – abuse of authority or official powers by a law enforcement officer, threats or violence against a law enforcement officer and attempt on the life of a law enforcement officer.

In connection with the use of firearms, two participants in the events have been served with notices of suspicion:

• an SSU officer under Article 365.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine
• a DIU serviceman under Article 348 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine

"SBI officers are establishing all circumstances, including those preceding the event that occurred on 1-2 September in one of the residential areas of Kyiv. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Procedural supervision is being exercised by the Office of the Prosecutor General," the Bureau stated.

The prosecutor general in turn reported that a series of forensic examinations has been ordered as part of the investigation. These are intended to provide clear answers regarding all circumstances of the use of weapons, the origin of gunshot traces and other material evidence recovered at the scene.

Separately, regarding the disappearance of the DIU Russian Volunteer Corps serviceman, Kravchenko noted that a separate pre-trial investigation was opened on 1 September.

"We are establishing the full picture of what happened: the individuals involved in his disappearance, the motives behind their actions, the route of movement and other circumstances. Appropriate procedural decisions will be taken after that," the prosecutor general states.

"Over the past day, the public has already heard different versions of what happened. They differ substantially from one another. Our task is to establish the facts, examine the actions and statements of all participants and provide a proper legal assessment. The investigation is ongoing," Kravchenko said.

Background:

• On 1 September, the Russian Volunteer Corps said that its deputy commander for combat operations, Stepan Kaplunov, had been abducted by unknown individuals in the courtyard of a residential building.
• On the morning of 2 September, reports spread on social media about a shootout said to be between Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine in Kyiv's Dniprovskyi district, and that it was somehow connected to Kaplunov's disappearance.
• Meanwhile, the SSU said in the morning that, together with DIU, it had foiled a terrorist attack against a leader of a Russian opposition political national movement who had arrived in Ukraine.
• Later, Kaplunov's lawyer, Taras Borovskyi, said that the serviceman had been released, but his whereabouts were unknown.
• On the morning of 3 September, the SSU released a video in which Kaplunov admitted to having links to Russia's Federal Security Service and said an attempt had been made to recruit him to assassinate Ukrainian military personnel and other individuals. However, his lawyer insists that the confession was made under duress.
• On 3 September, Kaplunov himself also stated that he had been abducted by the SSU officers and described his time in a "secret prison", where he was threatened with "disappearing forever".
• Kaplunov also said that the SSU had attempted, with his help, to discredit Dmytro Ivanov, deputy commander of the Timur Special Unit, and Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office.

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