Ukrainian Defense Forces Eliminate Former SBU General Volodymyr Lyapkin Who Fought for Russia

The Ukrainian Defense Forces conducted a successful operation resulting in the elimination of former Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) General Volodymyr Lyapkin. This high-ranking official, who previously headed a department within the security service, became an active participant in the armed forces of the aggressor country after fleeing to Russia, where he fought against Ukraine. The information regarding his death was published by the Russian outlet Mediazona, which also confirmed the death of another former employee of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, Eduard Malov, who died on March 17, 2026.

According to reports, the first to announce Lyapkin's death was the notorious traitor to Ukraine, Oleg Tsaryov. Mediazona, in turn, independently confirmed this information, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Tsaryov stated that Lyapkin served in the Russian army in the Bars-33 unit under the call sign Batyi, indicating his active involvement in combat operations on the side of Russia.

Before defecting to the enemy, Volodymyr Lyapkin held the position of head of the operational documentation department at the SBU. According to Tsaryov, his duties included the 'invisible side of the SBU's work,' which encompassed wiretapping, external surveillance, and information gathering. Lyapkin was promoted to the rank of Major General in 2013 and participated in the dispersal of protests on Maidan during the Revolution of Dignity.

Following the victory of the Revolution of Dignity, Lyapkin, like many other high-ranking SBU officials, was dismissed from his position. He fled to Russia and later settled in occupied Crimea, where he continued his activities in favor of the aggressor. After the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Lyapkin became the deputy head of the so-called 'State Security Service of the Kherson Region,' highlighting his active participation in collaborationist activities.

In 2025, the SBU announced suspicions against Lyapkin for collaborationist activities. According to the investigation, while serving as deputy head and acting head of the 'State Security Service,' he participated in 'filtering measures' and repressions against the civilian population. The Security Service of Ukraine believes that following the formal dissolution of the 'State Security Service,' its successor is the FSB department for the occupied Kherson region.

This event serves as further evidence of how former Ukrainian officials who betrayed their country attempt to act in favor of the enemy. The elimination of Lyapkin underscores the efforts of the Ukrainian defense forces in combating collaborationism and protecting Ukraine's national interests, which is a crucial component in the ongoing war.