In a stunning intelligence operation, Ukraine has confirmed it deliberately staged the assassination of a key Russian militant leader, a man described as a personal enemy of Vladimir Putin. The elaborate ruse was designed to protect the fighter, embarrass Russian security services, and redirect a substantial bounty into Ukrainian war funds.
The Staged Death and a $500,000 Bounty
Last week, reports circulated that Denis Kapustin, the leader of the right-wing Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), had been killed. The Ukrainian Armed Forces initially announced his death in an FPV drone strike within the Zaporizhzhia region. His own group, the RVC, appeared to confirm the news on Telegram, publishing a tribute and vowing revenge.
However, this narrative was a complete fabrication. Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (GUR) later revealed the death was faked as part of a month-long special operation. The primary goal was to mislead Russian intelligence and secure a $500,000 bounty that the Kremlin had reportedly allocated for Kapustin's elimination.
Intelligence Chief and Target Appear in Reveal Video
The truth was unveiled in a video released on the intelligence agency's official Telegram channel. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, congratulated Kapustin on his "return." Budanov labeled him a personal enemy of Vladimir Putin and stated the operation highlighted a major failure by Russia's secret services.
Most crucially, Budanov confirmed that the funds obtained from the bounty would be used to strengthen Ukrainian special units. Kapustin himself appeared in the video, assuring viewers that his brief disappearance had not hindered the operations of his fighters.
Who is Denis 'White Rex' Kapustin?
Kapustin, who also uses the alias "White Rex," has a controversial background. A former football hooligan and neo-Nazi activist from Moscow, he later lived in Germany before relocating to Kyiv in 2017. Due to his involvement in far-right movements linked to mixed martial arts circles, he has been banned from entering the Schengen area since 2019.
Following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Kapustin founded the Russian Volunteer Corps, which fights alongside Ukrainian forces. Russia designates the group as a terrorist organization. The RVC states its goals are to help restore Ukraine's 1991 borders and overthrow the Russian president.
Operational Success and Kremlin Embarrassment
Ukrainian officials have hailed the operation as a significant success on multiple fronts. It successfully protected a high-profile figure fighting against the Kremlin, secured half a million dollars in direct funding for the war effort, and delivered a profound embarrassment to Russian intelligence.
The operation demonstrated the effectiveness and creativity of Ukrainian intelligence tactics, showcasing an ability to outmaneuver their Russian counterparts in the shadow war that accompanies the frontline conflict.
