Kyiv, Ukraine - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday slammed his security services after a shootout occurred between rival agencies in Kyiv this week, and announced plans to dismiss numerous officials.

A gunfight erupted between the Military Intelligence Agency (GUR) and State Security Service (SBU) in Kyiv on Wednesday, leaving several officers injured.

The shootout happened in broad daylight and as Ukraine continues to fight Russia's dragging invasion, which has now last longer than the entirety of World War I.

Zelensky said late on Thursday that "both agencies must be held accountable, both acted in a way that is absolutely unacceptable."

Israel-Palestine Israel seizes more Lebanese land despite beleaguered security zone deal

He said two security officials – one from each agency – have been named as suspects, and that an investigation is ongoing.

"It is important that the truth be established and that situations like this never happen again," he said.

He added that the heads of both agencies will be "assessed" and that "deputy heads who bear responsibility for this situation will be dismissed."

According to Ukrainian media, the conflict may be linked to the SBU detaining a deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps – a battalion of anti-Kremlin Russians fighting for Kyiv, which falls under the command of the GUR.

The SBU said it was conducting "counter-sabotage work" to "prevent a murder" ordered by Russia, saying it had uncovered contacts between the commander and Russia's special services.

The GUR, meanwhile, said there was a "targeted disinformation campaign" against it. Both agencies play a central role in Kyiv's war effort and have seen their powers massively grow during Russia's invasion.