Zakayev's associates learned of assassination plot from media, not SBU

Akhmed Zakayev's associates said they learned about an alleged assassination plot against him only from media reports, according to Babel, citing sources. No official notifications from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) were received. The SBU first reported the plot on September 2, claiming it was planned for Independence Day when the Russian opposition figure was to be in Ukraine. The agency also suspects Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, of agreeing to target Ukrainian military personnel. The incident follows a September 2 shootout in Kyiv between SBU and military intelligence (HUR) personnel during a search of Kaplunov's apartment. Kaplunov denies cooperation with Russian intelligence, claiming his confession was made under psychological pressure.