--- title: "SBU and GUR thwarted an FSB terror plot against a Russian opposition figure in Ukraine: sources say the target was RDK deputy commander Stepan Kaplunov" description: "The SBU and GUR thwarted a terror attack that Russia's FSB was preparing against a leader of a Russian opposition movement in Ukraine. According to sources, the target was RDK deputy commander Stepan Kaplunov." date: 2026-09-02T05:24:05.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sbu-gur-thwart-fsb-terror-plot-against-kaplunov tags: [ukraine, sbu, fsb, russian-volunteer-corps, kaplunov, counterintelligence] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # SBU and GUR thwarted an FSB terror plot against a Russian opposition figure in Ukraine: sources say the target was RDK deputy commander Stepan Kaplunov ![SBU operative in tactical camouflage, seen from behind, with SBU markings on the helmet and gear — part of the operation to thwart an FSB terror plot against Russian opposition figure Stepan Kaplunov in Ukraine](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/02/sbu-preventila-terakt-fsb-protiv-kaplunova/sbu-preventila-terakt-fsb-protiv-kaplunova-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The SBU and the GUR of Ukraine's Ministry of Defence announced the prevention of a terror attack whose preparation was carried out by Russia's FSB. - The target, according to RBC-Ukraine sources, was RDK deputy commander Stepan Kaplunov, who had arrived in Ukraine for Independence Day. - The SBU did not publicly name the target; it was previously reported that Kaplunov was abducted from his home and that the RDK headquarters does not know his whereabouts. - Operational-investigative measures are being carried out over the preparation of the assassination attempt. The Security Service of Ukraine, together with the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence, announced the prevention of a terror attack whose preparation, according to Kyiv, was being carried out by Russia's Federal Security Service. The target of the attack, as the SBU stated, was to be one of the leaders of the Russian political opposition national movement who was on Ukrainian territory. An investigation has already been opened over the preparation of the assassination attempt, and operational-investigative measures are underway. ### Course of the operation and the role of the agencies According to the official wording, the neutralization of the threat was carried out by two law-enforcement bodies at once — the SBU and the GUR of the Ministry of Defence. The statement emphasizes that the threat was detected at the preparation stage and was not carried out. Specific details of the methodology — the method of infiltration, the communication channel with the perpetrators, the location of the planned attack — are not disclosed in the public message. This is typical practice for counterintelligence operations, where publicizing details could compromise sources and methods of work. ### Who was the target The SBU does not publicly name the Russian opposition figure against whom the terror attack was being prepared. However, according to sources from RBC-Ukraine, the person in question is Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK). According to the same data, he arrived in Ukraine in connection with the celebration of Independence Day. Recently, media reported that Kaplunov had been abducted from his own home a few days earlier, after which the RDK headquarters had no information about his whereabouts. RDK chief of staff Alexander Fortuna confirmed that, after Kaplunov's disappearance, representatives of the group had contacted the GUR, the SBU and the State Bureau of Investigation. ### Contradictory data There are notable discrepancies between the official SBU statement and the data from the sources. First, the agency does not publicly confirm the identity of the target, whereas RBC-Ukraine names Stepan Kaplunov — this means that the key fact rests on a single source. Second, there is an inconsistency in the chronology and status of the subject: on the one hand, it is reported that the opposition figure "arrived in Ukraine" and is in the country, while on the other, that he was "abducted from his home" and the RDK headquarters does not know where he is. It is officially unclear whether Kaplunov is currently detained, handed over, or an active figure, and whether the "abduction" incident coincides with the thwarted terror attack. These contradictions require additional verification. ### Context and investigative measures The prevention of an assassination attempt on a Russian opposition figure on Ukrainian territory fits into the broader context of the confrontation between the intelligence services of the two countries over figures linked to volunteer and opposition structures. Over the preparation of the terror attack, as the SBU stated, operational-investigative measures are already underway, which usually involves identifying the perpetrators, funding channels and possible accomplices. For now, neither the detained individuals, nor physical evidence, nor the exact date and location of the planned attack have been made public. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [SBU and GUR thwarted an FSB terror plot against a Russian opposition leader](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/sbu-ta-gur-zapobigli-teraktu-fsb-proti-lidera-1788326336.html) - Первичный источник по теме: подтверждает заявление СБУ/ГУР о предотвращении теракта ФСБ и (со ссылкой на источники) называет Степана Каплунова как вероятную мишень. - [Former SBU officer explained how the terror attack in Rostov-on-Don was foiled](https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/27905151) - Описывает иной инцидент — предотвращение теракта в Ростове-на-Дону; не относится к делу Каплунова и не подтверждает основную историю. - [FSB: SBU-recruited Russian himself reported on the preparation of a terror attack near Rostov](https://news.mail.ru/society/71583900/) - Также посвящен инциденту под Ростовом-на-Дону; не связан с предотвращением покушения на российского оппозиционера в Украине. - [Russian reported on the preparation of a terror attack. Key facts about the thwarted attack in Rostov-on-Don](https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/27904805) - Описывает иной инцидент — предотвращение теракта в Ростове-на-Дону; не относится к делу Каплунова и не подтверждает основную историю. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Who, according to media reports, was the target of the thwarted terror attack? **A:** According to sources from RBC-Ukraine, the person in question is Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps. The SBU does not publicly name him, limiting itself to the wording "one of the leaders of a Russian opposition movement." ### Q: Which agencies were involved in preventing the terror attack? **A:** According to Kyiv's statement, the operation was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine and the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine's Ministry of Defence. ### Q: What is known about Kaplunov's whereabouts? **A:** It was previously reported that he was abducted from his own home, and that the RDK headquarters had no information about his whereabouts. RDK chief of staff Alexander Fortuna confirmed the contacts with the GUR, the SBU and the SBI. The official status of the subject after the statement about the thwarted terror attack is not disclosed. ### Q: Are investigative measures being carried out? **A:** Yes, over the preparation of the terror attack, as the SBU stated, operational-investigative measures are already underway.