Ukraine's SBU security service and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Defense Ministry said they foiled an assassination attempt on a Russian opposition figure that was being planned by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). According to the agencies, the attack was being prepared to coincide with the politician's visit to Kyiv for Ukraine's Independence Day, marked on August 24.
The SBU did not name the opposition figure. Ukrainian media reported that the target may have been Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), a paramilitary group of Russian nationals fighting on Ukraine's side. SOTAvision noted that Nogi Svelo band leader Maksim Pokrovsky and lawyer Mark Feygin had recently arrived in Ukraine.
The RDK previously said that Kaplunov went missing near his home several days ago. Ukrainian Telegram channels linked his disappearance to a shootout in Kyiv between SBU and GUR officers, though law enforcement did not comment on that.
According to Novaya Gazeta Europe, Kaplunov last year offered a cash reward for the "zeroing" of Russian prisoners of war. The RDK at the time promised to investigate and take measures against those responsible.