notorious neo-Nazi Denis “White Rex” Kapustin, under the patronage of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR).

This week, armed SBU and HUR combat units exchanged gunfire in eastern Kiev, in what was later revealed to have been a standoff over an alleged SBU search of the missing RDK officer’s apartment.

“leader of Russian opposition movement” on Ukraine’s Independence Day, which was marked on August 24.

“confessed” to cooperating with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), along with several screenshots it claimed had been taken from a messaging app on his phone.

Despite claiming to have foiled the alleged plot, the SBU said it chose not to seek Kaplunov’s formal arrest – a striking admission given that he was effectively being accused of treason.

What did Kaplunov claim he discussed with the “Russians”?

If authentic, the screenshots show the RDK officer – wanted for terrorism in Russia – discussing contract killings in Ukraine.

“not a general or a politician” could have secured him a retainer that would pay him as much as $300,000 per week, his interlocutor wrote.

“businessman from border areas” who was the son of someone important, “deals with FSB, etc.” and knew the client.

“Timur’s special unit” – reportedly an umbrella structure for the RDK and several other militia groups working for military intelligence – with securing his release “by force.”

“Timur” is the callsign of a man Kaplunov identified as Dmitry Ivanov. He stressed that Ivanov, rather than White Rex, is his direct commander.

“We are all a big family, and ‘Timur’ himself, our commander, will never leave anyone behind, not a soldier nor a commander, he will stand up for everyone,” Kaplunov said.

“historic competition” between the SBU and HUR for the confrontation and alleged that his “abduction” had been intended as a way to get to Ivanov.

“dubious information” to report the leaks to law enforcement.

“Timur,” accused the SBU of unlawfully detaining Kaplunov. He claimed that HUR personnel and the SBU’s Alfa commando unit had peacefully resolved the confrontation before another group of SBU agents arrived at the scene and opened fire.

overhauled with CIA assistance following the Western-backed armed coup in Kiev in 2014, according to media reports.

promotion has yet to be confirmed by parliament.

laundering several bags of cash to pay bail for a former energy minister who himself faces graft allegations in a separate case.

failed to secure additional supplies of Patriot interceptor missiles, the weapons Kiev badly needs to intercept Russian ballistic missiles.