SBU-GUR conflict: Ukraine's parliament committee says both sides violated rules

This was reported by Ukraine's Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko and "Suspilne," citing comments from committee member and People's Deputy Fedir Venislavsky.

According to Venislavsky, after meeting with representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), committee members concluded that violations occurred on both sides during the incident.

Now, the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) and the Office of the Prosecutor General must establish all the circumstances of the incident. Venislavsky emphasized that the use of firearms within a residential area is unacceptable.

Two individuals have been notified of suspicion in the case

Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported that, following the armed incident between SBU and GUR personnel in Kyiv, two participants in the events have been notified of charges:

• an SBU officer—under Part 2 of Article 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of authority or official powers by a law enforcement officer involving the use of violence or weapons);
• a servicemember of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine—under Article 348 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (attempt on the life of a law enforcement officer or servicemember).

As part of the criminal proceedings, a series of forensic examinations has been ordered. These are intended to establish the circumstances surrounding the use of the weapon, the origin of the bullet marks, and other details related to the physical evidence seized at the scene.

Kravchenko noted that following the incident, various versions of what happened have emerged, and they differ significantly. The investigation’s task is to establish the factual circumstances, verify the actions and statements of all participants, and provide them with an appropriate legal assessment.

A separate investigation is underway into the disappearance of a GUR serviceman

According to Kravchenko, a separate pre-trial investigation into the disappearance of a serviceman from the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was launched on September 1.

The investigation is identifying individuals who may be involved in his disappearance, the motives behind their actions, his route of movement, and other circumstances. Once the full picture of the incident has been established, law enforcement officials will make the appropriate procedural decisions.

As a reminder, on September 1, the RDK stated that Stepan Kaplunov, the deputy commander for combat operations, had been abducted several days earlier.

On the morning of September 2, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) reported that they had managed to prevent a terrorist attack that the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) was planning “against one of the leaders of the Russian opposition who had arrived in Ukraine for Independence Day.”

The SBU later stated that during the search, “a group of individuals attacked the SBU’s operational-investigative team.” The security service added that the “Alpha” special forces unit was deployed “to stop the attack,” and that weapons were also used.

The SBU also responded to an “unacceptable” incident that occurred in Kyiv between SBU and GUR personnel. According to the agency, during an operation to prevent a murder—which had been planned for Independence Day at the behest of the Russian FSB—a conflict arose that led to gunfire.

Read also: Zelenskyy reacted to the shootout between the SBU and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR). He dismissed the head of the SBU’s Department for the Protection of State Secrets.