The Ukrainian Security Service has formally accused the leader of the Russian Volunteer Corps, under the control of Ukraine's military intelligence (SBU), of working for Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).
On September 3, the Ukrainian Security Service released screenshots of chat logs and a confession video from Konstantin Kaplunov, the deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK). However, Kaplunov himself has stated that this testimony was fabricated under coercion and pressure.
The Ukrainian Security Service claims that he was ordered to assassinate a Russian opposition figure who planned to visit Ukraine on Independence Day (August 24).
Screenshots of the chats show that an intermediary offered $50,000 per person to carry out lethal attacks in Ukraine, specifying that the client was based within Russia.
When asked about the identity of the employer, the response read: “A businessman from the border region; I don’t know exactly who.” The message also added: “Tasks can be arranged weekly thereafter, with rewards reaching up to $300,000.”
A middleman revealed: “The employer is the son of a high-ranking individual with business ties to the FSB—the actual order was placed by his acquaintance.”
The Ukrainian Security Service states that Kaplunov admitted to having contact with the FSB and assisted in uncovering the full chain of involvement in this assassination plot.
In the confession video, Kaplunov wears sunglasses; however, he insists he was blindfolded and detained secretly for several days prior.
The second-in-command of the Russian Volunteer Corps, designated as a terrorist-extremist organization by Russia, claims he was subjected to coercion during nine days of secret detention, forcing him to make false statements—asserting there was no actual communication between them.
The Ukrainian Security Service maintains that Kaplunov voluntarily cooperated with the investigation and thus was not arrested or detained.
Kaplunov’s explanation is that he was rescued and breakout by colleagues from Ukraine’s military intelligence on September 2.
Regarding the Kiev shootout on September 2, the Ukrainian Security Service explained the incident occurred during an "urgent investigative operation": "A serious confrontation erupted, ultimately leading to gunfire."
On September 2, an internal armed clash broke out in Kyiv between Ukraine’s two powerful agencies—the Security Service and the Military Intelligence. The trigger was the detention of Konstantin Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps under military intelligence control. The conflict resulted in one death and two injuries among military intelligence personnel. Both sides eventually ceased fire, and an investigation will now proceed.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875313279291404/
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