Denis Kapustin's staged death and Russian bounty
Ukrainian intelligence claims the reported death of Denis Kapustin, founder of the Russian Volunteer Corps, was staged on January 1, 2026, to prevent his assassination by Russian special services, who allegedly ordered his murder for $500,000. As of January 26, 2026, a Moscow court sentenced Sergey Krutko to 1.5 years in a penal colony for justifying terrorism online by publishing an interview with Kapustin, while a 17-year-old schoolgirl, Eva Bagrova, was sentenced to four years in prison in October 2025 for posting photos of RDK members. The Russian Interior Ministry re-declared Kapustin wanted on January 2, 2026, after his previous removal from the wanted list following reports of his death on December 27, 2025, on the Zaporizhzhia front. Alexander Sakaniya was also sentenced to 19 years in prison on January 14, 2026, for recruiting individuals for the RDK. A pre-trial investigation was initiated in Ukraine on January 13, 2026, regarding statements made by Russian opposition politician Leonid Volkov concerning Kapustin and Ukrainian officials.
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Track this story2026
7 updates
2026
7 updatesA Moscow court sentenced Sergey Krutko, a 30-year-old resident of the Bryansk region, to 1.5 years in a general regime penal colony for justifying terrorism online by publishing an interview with Denis Kapustin.
via zona.media
A 17-year-old schoolgirl, Eva Bagrova, was sentenced to four years in prison in October 2025 for posting photos of Russian Volunteer Corps members on a school stand, and she has since reported facing pressure and threats of torture from investigators.
A pre-trial investigation has been initiated in Ukraine regarding statements made by Russian opposition politician Leonid Volkov concerning Denis Kapustin, founder of the Russian Volunteer Corps, and Ukrainian officials. The case was registered on January 13, 2026.
via currenttime.tv
Alexander Sakaniya was sentenced to 19 years in prison by a Moscow court for recruiting individuals in Georgia to join the RDK.
via ekhokavkaza.com
Ukrainian intelligence claims that the reported death of Denis Kapustin was staged, leading the Russian Interior Ministry to re-declare him wanted. Ukrainian intelligence also alleges that Russian special services ordered Kapustin's murder for $500,000, but the GUR intercepted the payment.
On January 2, 2026, the Russian Interior Ministry officially re-declared Denis Kapustin, founder of the Russian Volunteer Corps, wanted. This action followed his previous removal from the wanted list after reports of his death.
via vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com·vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com
Ukraine staged the reported death of Russian Volunteer Corps founder Denis Kapustin to prevent his assassination by Moscow and to identify plotters, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. The ruse also secured the $500,000 Russian reward offered for his killing. Kapustin reappeared via video link at a briefing with the head of Ukraine's military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov.
via theinsider.com
2025
1 update
2025
1 updateDenis Kapustin is reported killed in action on the Zaporizhzhia front by an FPV drone, according to a statement from the Russian Volunteer Corps.
via theins.ru
2024
2 updates
2024
2 updatesRussian authorities issue a second in-absentia life sentence for Kapustin and four other RDK fighters in connection with the Bryansk incursion.
via theins.ru
The RDK, along with other anti-Kremlin Russian volunteer groups, claims further incursions into Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions.
via theins.ru
2023
5 updates
2023
5 updatesRussia's 2nd Western District Military Court sentences Denis Kapustin in absentia to life imprisonment on multiple charges, including state treason, attempted terrorist acts, and establishing a terrorist community.
via theins.ru
The RDK, alongside other pro-Ukrainian Russian groups, conducts cross-border raids into Russia's Belgorod Oblast.
via theins.ru
A Moscow court issues an in-absentia arrest warrant for Kapustin on charges including committing an act of terrorism and illegal trafficking of weapons and explosives.
via theins.ru
Russia's Interior Ministry places Denis Kapustin on its federal wanted list, and Russian financial authorities add him to a list of terrorists and extremists.
via theins.ru
The RDK claims responsibility for an armed incursion into Russia's Bryansk Oblast, which Russian authorities allege resulted in casualties and acts of terrorism.
via theins.ru
2022
1 update
2022
1 updateDenis Kapustin (also known as Denis Nikitin or 'White Rex') founds the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), a paramilitary unit composed of Russian citizens fighting on the side of Ukraine.
via theins.ru
2023
Story began · 3 years ago