Deputy commander of Russian Volunteer Corps claims Ukraine's Security Service tried to use his testimony to discredit head of President's Office

What Happened

Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander for combat operations of the Russian Volunteer Corps, alleged in a video statement that officers from the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) abducted him on 23 August and subjected him to physical and psychological pressure. Kaplunov claimed that General Oleksandr Poklad, acting SSU head, attempted to coerce him into providing testimony to discredit Dmytro Ivanov of the Timur Special Unit and Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office, by accusing them of collaborating with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). Additionally, the Russian Volunteer Corps released CCTV footage from 24 August purportedly showing SSU officers attempting to enter Kaplunov's residence to plant evidence. The SSU previously released a video on 3 September in which Kaplunov claimed to have links to the FSB and admitted to being recruited for assassination plots, a statement his lawyer, Taras Borovskyi, maintains was extracted under duress.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The allegations highlight internal friction between Ukrainian security and intelligence agencies and the volunteer units operating under their umbrella. The public dispute involving the SSU and the Russian Volunteer Corps suggests potential power struggles or counter-intelligence operations within the Ukrainian security apparatus, which could impact the operational cohesion of foreign-led volunteer units.

Watch For

Monitor the State Bureau of Investigation's response to the Russian Volunteer Corps' request for an inquiry into the alleged apartment break-in. Further developments regarding the legal status of Stepan Kaplunov and any official statements from the Office of the President regarding the alleged SSU attempt to discredit Kyrylo Budanov will be critical indicators of the severity of this internal conflict.