SBU Accused of Using Captive to Discredit Ukraine's Military Intelligence Chief

Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, has accused Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) of kidnapping him and using him to discredit military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and commander Dmytro Ivanov. In a video statement, Kaplunov said he was abducted on August 23 and pressured physically and psychologically by SBU officials, including a general, to falsely link Budanov and Ivanov to cooperation with Russia's FSB. He also claimed SBU agents attempted to plant unknown items in his home while he was detained. The Russian Volunteer Corps released surveillance footage allegedly showing men with large bags approaching Kaplunov's apartment on August 24. Kaplunov said his side has filed a complaint with Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation regarding the incident.