It was a special operation that aimed to deceive the Russian intelligence services
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Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) released on January 2 the details of a special operation that aimed to deceive Russian intelligence services and obtain a reward offered by the Kremlin.
Through a publicly released video, the Ukrainian agency explained how it managed to convince Moscow that Denis Kapustin, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), had been killed in action, when in reality the leader remains alive.
Kapustin's alleged death had initially been reported on December 27, when it was indicated that the commander had died during a combat mission in the Zaporizhzhia region. However, on January 1, HUR itself revealed that this information was part of a planned operation to mislead Russian intelligence services, which had previously ordered the assassination of the RDK leader and had offered a reward for his head.
According to the Ukrainian agency, the maneuver included the production of a carefully crafted video to simulate Kapustin's death. In the released footage, viewers can see the direct impact of a drone against a vehicle, moments after the commander is seen getting into it.
Next, the audiovisual recording shows the pickup truck engulfed in flames, reinforcing the scene of a lethal attack. According to HUR, this material was key to lending credibility to the version of the death.
"To support the legend, a video of the work of two attack drones was created", the agency stated in its official communiqué. The recording was used as evidence before Russian intelligence services, which reportedly accepted the authenticity of the content.
Denis Kapustin, lider del RDK.
HUR maintained that the Russian agencies that had put a price on Kapustin's head "believed in the video", which allowed the Ukrainian agency to collect a reward of 500,000 dollars.
According to the released information, the money obtained will be used to strengthen the operational capabilities of Ukrainian special forces. In that regard, the agency stated that the funds raised "will significantly improve the combat capabilities of HUR's special forces".
The Russian Volunteer Corps
Denis Kapustin, also known by his war name "White Rex", is the leader of the Russian Volunteer Corps, a unit made up of Russian citizens who have been fighting on Ukraine's side since 2014. RDK has played an active role in the conflict, particularly through cross-border incursions into Russian territory.
Denis Kapustin.
During 2023 and 2024, the Russian Volunteer Corps carried out operations in the Russian provinces of Belgorod and Kursk. These actions were conducted in coordination with other Russian formations opposed to the Kremlin that are linked to Ukraine's defense and security forces. Among these groups are the Legion of Freedom of Russia and the Siberian Battalion, which have also taken part in incursions and special operations.
