Ukraine has executed a complex operation that included staging the assassination of a prominent anti-Kremlin figure, Denis Kapustin, who is also known as Denis Nikitin or “White Rex”. Despite earlier reports indicating he had been killed in a drone strike in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian officials revealed on January 1, 2024, that he is very much alive. This elaborate ruse successfully misled Russia, resulting in the Kremlin offering a reward of approximately €500,000 (around £370,000) for Kapustin’s assassination.
Reports of Kapustin’s death led to tributes from his fellow fighters within the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), who expressed their sorrow over the alleged loss. The group posted on Telegram, stating, “We will definitely avenge you, Denis. Your legacy lives on.” However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Ukrainian military intelligence disclosed that the reports of his death were fabricated as part of a covert operation intended to protect his life.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) shared a video of Kapustin, standing alongside intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, who celebrated his “return to life”. GUR described the operation as a response to an assassination order issued by Russian special services, which had allocated substantial funds to carry out the act. The agency stated, “As a result of a comprehensive special operation, his life was preserved, and the masterminds within the Russian special services were identified.”
Budanov characterized Kapustin as “Putin’s personal enemy” and emphasized that the deception took over a month to execute. “A failure of Russian secret services—the RVC commander is alive, and the half a million dollars received for his ‘killing’ will strengthen DIU special units,” he asserted.
Kapustin downplayed any significant impact his temporary disappearance had on the battlefield, affirming his readiness to continue leading combat operations. GUR confirmed his statement, indicating that he is prepared to carry out combat and special tasks as head of the unit.
The exposure of this operation represents a considerable setback for the Kremlin, which had relied on the belief that Kapustin had been eliminated following their assassination orders. A controversial figure, Kapustin has a background that includes being a former footballer and a far-right activist. He spent a significant part of his youth in Germany before moving to Kyiv in 2017, where he established the White Rex clothing label and organized mixed martial arts competitions. His connections to extremist groups have led to his exclusion from the European Schengen zone since 2019.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kapustin founded the RVC to fight alongside Ukrainian forces. The organization has conducted cross-border operations into Russia and is classified as a terrorist group there. The RVC claims to uphold “conservative views and traditionalist beliefs” and aims to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity and dismantle the regime of President Vladimir Putin.
This staged assassination mirrors a previous incident in 2018 involving Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko, whose death was similarly faked by Ukrainian authorities to thwart an alleged Kremlin assassination plot. Babchenko’s ruse sparked outrage among journalists and press freedom advocates when he revealed himself unharmed at a press conference the day after the supposed attack.
The unfolding events surrounding Kapustin’s staged assassination illustrate the ongoing complexities of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, showcasing the lengths to which both sides may go in their struggle for dominance. As the situation develops, the ramifications of this operation could resonate through the ongoing hostilities.
