Militant involved in murders of Ukrainian intelligence officers eliminated in Donetsk

Ukrainian special services eliminated Oleh Shutov, an officer of the so-called Centre for Special Operations of the Ministry of State Security (MGB) of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, in Donetsk in July 2026, according to sources cited by Ukrainska Pravda. The operation was not publicly disclosed until September 7, 2026.

Who was Shutov

Shutov was identified as a member of a unit that carried out targeted killings of Ukrainian intelligence and security officers. He was said to have been directly involved in the murders of officers from both the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). His elimination represents part of a broader campaign by Ukrainian special services to neutralise operatives involved in attacks on Ukrainian personnel in the occupied territories.

Context of targeted operations

Ukraine's military intelligence and security services have increasingly carried out targeted eliminations of Russian and pro-Russian operatives in occupied Ukrainian territories, as well as in Russia itself. These operations form part of a broader effort to degrade the intelligence and operational capabilities of forces acting against Ukrainian personnel. Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed all such operations publicly, with details often emerging later through media sources.