Ukraine's own spy agencies open fire on each other; Zelensky calls it 'absolutely disgraceful'

Agents from two of Ukraine's intelligence services exchanged gunfire in the capital Kyiv, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to condemn the incident as a national embarrassment.

The shootout broke out Wednesday (local time) in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv between officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and personnel from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), according to Ukrainian outlet Kyiv Post and other media. Three people were wounded.

Footage from the scene showed people moving around vehicles stopped in an alleyway as shouting and gunshots rang out.

The SBU and HUR are Ukraine's two main intelligence agencies, both known for conducting covert operations — including assassinations of Russian military officers — inside Russian territory and occupied areas. The clash began when SBU officers detained a member of the HUR.

The person detained was Kalpunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, a unit of Russian nationals fighting on Ukraine's side that operates under HUR command.

The confrontation escalated when SBU agents attempted to search Kalpunov at his residence. Corps members moved to block the search and called for backup, prompting the SBU to deploy a special unit, at which point the shooting began.

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine said on Telegram that "an armed attack on SBU officers occurred during investigative procedures related to a terrorism case," adding that "law enforcement officers used their weapons in the course of suppressing armed resistance."

Zelensky issued a statement calling the episode "an absolutely disgraceful situation." He said the only legitimate targets for gunfire in Ukraine were Russian occupation forces, and that "our state will not consider any other shootout as something permitted to anyone."

Zelensky signed Presidential Decree No. 868/2026 the same day, dismissing Oleh Hramov as head of the SBU's State Secrets Protection and Licensing Department. Hramov had held the post since March 6, 2023. The document released by the presidential office gave no reason for the dismissal.