Former Ukrainian Security Chief Killed While Serving Russia: The Betrayal and Death of Volodymyr Lyapkin

The Deaths of Volodymyr Lyapkin and Eduard Malov

According to Главком: On March 17, 2026, former Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) department head Major General Volodymyr Lyapkin and former Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations colonel from the Moscow region, Eduard Malov, were killed. Both men were serving in the Russian-affiliated military unit 'Bars-33' at the time of their deaths. Their deaths highlight the ongoing internal divisions and violence stemming from Russia's war against Ukraine.

The Career of Volodymyr Lyapkin

Volodymyr Lyapkin, who held the position of head of the operational documentation department in the SBU, was promoted to the rank of major general in 2013. He was dismissed from the SBU in February 2014, subsequently fleeing to Russia and settling in annexed Crimea. In 2021, Lyapkin founded and chaired the 'I Guarantee Quality' Association. Following the full-scale invasion and occupation of Kherson, he assumed the role of deputy head of the Kherson Oblast State Security Service. This service was founded by his former SBU superior, Oleksandr Yakymenko, who led the Ukrainian agency from January 2013 to February 2014.

In 2025, the SBU formally accused Lyapkin of collaboration, charging him with conducting filtration measures and repression against civilians. After the dissolution of the Kherson State Security Service, its functions were absorbed by the local FSB directorate in the occupied territory. Notably, public records from Mediazona contain no mention of Lyapkin being granted the rank of major general within the FSB.

The Career of Eduard Malov

Eduard Malov was a former colonel in the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations who graduated from the Tashkent Higher All-Arms Command School in 1989 alongside Lyapkin. The former colonel's funeral was held on April 4, 2026, in Nakhabino, near Moscow. According to pro-Russian political figure Oleg Tsaryov,

“during the most intense moments of protests, he had to engage in direct physical confrontations, and in such situations he did not hide behind the backs of his subordinates, but went forward himself, setting an example.”

The deaths of Lyapkin and Malov generated significant media attention, as both were linked to collaborative activities in occupied Ukrainian territory. This event underscores the persistent conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the role of individuals who take up collaborationist positions during war. As representatives of Russian-installed structures, Lyapkin and Malov exerted considerable influence in Kherson Oblast, and their deaths may impact the future political and military situation in the region. The media reaction to their demise indicates the importance of this topic in societies grappling with the consequences of collaboration.