The leader of a Ukrainian anti-Putin paramilitary group was killed in a drone strike during combat in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. Denis Kaputsin, commander of the right-wing Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), died on the frontline, as confirmed by his unit on Saturday. The RVC stated on Telegram, “Kapustin died heroically during a combat mission. We will definitely take revenge, Denis. Your legacy lives on.”
Kaputsin, 41, also known as Denis Nikitin and “White Rex,” had been living in Ukraine since 2017. Originally from Moscow, he moved to Germany with his family at the age of 17 before relocating to Ukraine. His past included a controversial history, which led to his banning from many European countries due to his involvement in football hooliganism and alleged neo-Nazi views, a label he has contested.
With the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kaputsin played a significant role in establishing Ukraine’s elite Third Assault Brigade. He later founded the Russian Volunteer Corps, asserting his commitment to “wage an armed combat against the dictatorship of Putin and his entourage, depriving Russia of a future,” according to the corps’ official website.
The militia gained notoriety for its cross-border operations targeting Russian villages. These incursions resulted in the capture of numerous Russian soldiers, prompting strong condemnation from the Kremlin, which labeled them as “saboteurs” and “terrorists.” Following an incursion in March 2023, Kaputsin was added to the Kremlin’s registry of “terrorist and extremists” and placed on the wanted list by Russia’s Interior Ministry, as reported by the Moscow Times.
In the wake of his death, the Russian Volunteer Corps has vowed to continue their fight against Putin’s regime, emphasizing Kaputsin’s legacy as a warrior. His life and commitment to the cause have sparked discussions about the broader implications of his actions and the continuing conflict in Ukraine.
As the war progresses, the impact of leaders like Kaputsin and their militias on the ongoing struggle against Russian forces remains a critical element of the narrative. The situation reflects the complex dynamics of loyalty, ideology, and the harsh realities of warfare in the region.
