The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) announced on 1/1 that Russian intelligence had ordered the assassination of Denis Kapustin, leader of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), and offered a 500,000 USD reward for its successful execution. The RVC is a militia group comprising Russians who oppose the Kremlin and support Ukraine, operating under the International Legion managed by the GUR.

The GUR stated it conducted a special operation lasting over one month to deceive Russian intelligence into believing Kapustin was dead, thereby saving his life. Individuals involved in the assassination plot were also identified.

Kapustin (left), Budanov (below), and elite special forces commander Tymur in a GUR video posted on 1/1. *Screenshot*

A video accompanying the announcement shows Kapustin conversing with Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the GUR, and Tymur, commander of an elite special forces unit within the GUR.

“We obtained the money allocated by Russian intelligence to carry out this crime. The RVC commander is currently in Ukraine and continues to fulfill assigned missions,” the head of the Tymur unit said in the video.

Budanov congratulated Kapustin on his “resurrection,” while Kapustin affirmed he was “ready to move to the operational area and continue commanding the RVC unit.”

According to the GUR, the funds acquired from Russian intelligence will be utilized to enhance Ukraine's drone capabilities.

The agency on 2/1 provided details of the deception operation against Russian intelligence. It revealed that a video was staged showing a drone crashing into a mini-bus carrying Kapustin, alongside images of the burning vehicle, presented as evidence of the attack's aftermath.

Images the GUR said were used to deceive Russian intelligence in a video posted on 2/1. *Video: GUR*

“The masterminds of this crime within Russian intelligence believed the provided videos and paid Ukrainian intelligence officers 500,000 USD for executing the 'contract',” the GUR stated.

Previously, the RVC on 27/12/2025 announced Kapustin had died during a combat mission in Zaporizhzhia province, reportedly from a first-person view drone attack. However, on 1/1, the group cited the GUR's announcement that Kapustin was still alive.

Russian officials have not commented on this information.

The RVC has conducted cross-border incursions into Russia's Belgorod and Kursk provinces two times, in 2023 and 2024 respectively. These operations were carried out alongside two other pro-Ukrainian militia groups: the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Siberia Battalion.

Pham Giang (Source: Kyiv Post, Ukrainska Pravda)