Ukraine's SBU says it foiled FSB-planned terror attack on Russian opposition figure

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) announced on Wednesday that, together with the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), it had prevented a terror attack targeting a leader of a Russian opposition political national movement. According to the SBU, the attack had been organized by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). The intended target reportedly had traveled to Ukraine to attend Independence Day celebrations. The SBU did not disclose further details about who exactly the target was.

Possible figures involved

The independent Russian outlet SOTAvision noted that several known Russian opposition figures had recently arrived in Ukraine, including Maksim Pokrovsky, frontman of the rock band Leningrad's rival act "Nogu Svelo," and lawyer Mark Feygin. No official confirmation has linked either of them directly to the foiled attack described by the SBU.

Reports of a shootout in Kyiv

Ukrainian Telegram channels "Kyivsky Dvizh" and "Truha" reported that a shootout occurred in Kyiv involving SBU and HUR personnel. Ukrainian law enforcement authorities have not officially commented on these reports.

Link to a missing commander

According to the version circulated by these Telegram channels, the shootout may be connected to the disappearance of Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), a unit fighting on Ukraine's side. A day earlier, the RDK had announced that unknown individuals had abducted Kaplunov from the courtyard of his home several days prior, adding that the group's member was now reportedly being held. Precise details of the events and any connection between the two incidents remain unconfirmed.