Zelenskyy rebukes intelligence agencies after internal gunfight wounds three
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned a shootout between the SBU and GUR intelligence services in Kyiv, which left three officers injured. He called the incident 'absolutely shameful' and ordered prosecutors to investigate, while also dismissing a senior SBU officer. Meanwhile, Russian drones and missiles struck Kyiv and other regions, causing casualties and power outages.
The clash reportedly began when SBU officers detained a commander of a Russian anti-Kremlin unit operating under GUR oversight, triggering an armed confrontation in central Kyiv. Three officers were wounded, and Zelenskyy dismissed a senior SBU official while ordering prosecutors to investigate. Separately, Russian strikes on Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro caused civilian casualties and widespread power outages, affecting over 350,000 homes in Odesa alone. Norway’s seizure of a Russian cruise ship over unpaid Crimea-related compensation adds an international legal dimension, while Ukraine’s push to ban airlines from Russian airspace follows Zelenskyy’s warning about drone risks.
This incident could erode public trust in Ukraine’s security institutions during wartime, potentially distracting from frontline efforts and fueling internal political friction. The shootout may also complicate coordination between intelligence agencies, affecting counterintelligence and special operations. For civilians, the simultaneous Russian strikes underscore ongoing vulnerability, while international actions like Norway’s seizure could signal broader legal pressure on Moscow. However, Zelenskyy’s swift response may help contain fallout, though prolonged infighting could weaken morale and Western confidence in Kyiv’s governance.