Ukrainian special forces units clash in Kyiv, three wounded

Ukrainian security service (SBU) special forces exchanged gunfire with military intelligence (GUR) operatives in Kyiv on September 2, wounding at least three officers during an investigation involving a Russian citizen. The clash occurred during an SBU operation related to Stepan Kaplunov, a Kremlin-critical Russian national and deputy commander of the GUR-affiliated RVC paramilitary unit. SBU said it foiled an attack on Kaplunov, while GUR accused SBU of kidnapping him without charges. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the incident "shameful" and dismissed SBU official Oleg Khramov. The two agencies, key to covert operations inside Russia, have seen growing rivalry amid recent leadership changes.