A shootout in downtown Kyiv between officers from Ukraine's domestic security service (SBU) and its military intelligence directorate (HUR) injured several people, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to call the incident 'disgraceful'.
Key facts
- A shootout took place on Wednesday morning in a downtown area of Kyiv.
- The clash was between officers from the SBU and the military intelligence directorate, the HUR.
- Several people were injured in the incident.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the incident as 'disgraceful'.
- The SBU said the clash 'definitely shouldn't have happened'.
Several people have been injured after a shootout erupted in central Kyiv between two branches of Ukraine’s security services, in an incident President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as “disgraceful”, according to the Guardian.
The shootout took place on Wednesday morning in a downtown area of the Ukrainian capital. It involved officers from the domestic security service, the SBU, and the military intelligence directorate, the HUR.
Ukraine’s domestic security service acknowledged the clash, saying it “definitely shouldn’t have happened”, the Guardian reported.
The confrontation between two arms of the state’s security apparatus is unusual, and the president’s public condemnation underscored the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident.
As of the initial reporting, the Guardian did not detail the number of people injured, the cause of the confrontation, or whether any arrests had been made.
Further information about the circumstances leading to the shootout and the condition of those hurt had not been released at the time of publication.
Why it matters
A firefight between two of Ukraine's own security agencies raises questions about coordination and command within the country's intelligence services during wartime. Public friction between the SBU and HUR could have implications for domestic stability and confidence in state institutions.
Frequently asked questions
Which agencies were involved in the Kyiv shootout?
The shootout was between officers from Ukraine's domestic security service, the SBU, and the military intelligence directorate, the HUR, according to the Guardian.
How did President Zelenskyy respond?
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the incident as 'disgraceful', according to the Guardian.
Were there any injuries?
Yes. The Guardian reported that several people were injured in the shootout, though a precise figure was not given in the initial report.