Denis Kapustin and Russian Volunteer Corps
Denis Kapustin, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), was reported killed in action on December 27, 2025, on the Zaporizhzhia front by an FPV drone, a report later revealed by Ukrainian military intelligence to be a staged event to prevent his assassination and identify plotters. As of April 2, 2026, Kapustin remains active, giving interviews and expressing concerns about Russian volunteers, despite having been sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia by a Moscow court in November 2023. The Russian Interior Ministry re-declared Kapustin wanted on January 2, 2026, after Ukrainian intelligence claimed his death was staged and that Russian special services had ordered his murder for $500,000. In related developments, a Moscow court sentenced Alexander Sakaniya to 19 years in prison on January 14, 2026, for recruiting individuals for the RDK, and Sergey Krutko to 1.5 years on January 26, 2026, for justifying terrorism by publishing a Kapustin interview.
Timeline
Want updates on this thread?
Track this storyTimeline of developments
April 2026 — 1 developments
Denis Kapustin, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, gave an interview on April 2, 2026, discussing the RDK and the fight against Putin.
Denis Kapustin, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, gave an interview on April 2, 2026, discussing the RDK and the fight against Putin. Kapustin stated that "despotisms like Russia cannot be overthrown by peaceful protest. Ukraine has shown how it can be done."
March 2026 — 1 developments
Denis Kapustin visited a migration center in Mykolaiv Oblast and expressed concern that five detained Russian volunteers might be deported to Russia.
Denis Kapustin visited a migration center in Mykolaiv Oblast and expressed concern that five detained Russian volunteers might be deported to Russia. Kapustin, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), was previously sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia by a Moscow court in November 2023.
January 2026 — 7 developments
A Moscow court sentenced Sergey Krutko, a 30-year-old resident of the Bryansk region, to 1.
A 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.
A 17-year-old schoolgirl, Eva Bagrova, was sentenced to four years in prison in October 2025 for pos…
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 opposit…
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.
Alexander Sakaniya was sentenced to 19 years in prison by a Moscow court for recruiting individuals in Georgia to join the RDK.
Alexander Sakaniya was sentenced to 19 years in prison by a Moscow court for recruiting individuals in Georgia to join the RDK.
Ukrainian intelligence claims that the reported death of Denis Kapustin was staged, leading the Russian Interior Ministry to re-declare him wanted.
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.
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.
Ukraine staged the reported death of Russian Volunteer Corps founder Denis Kapustin to prevent his a…
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.
December 2025 — 1 developments
Denis Kapustin is reported killed in action on the Zaporizhzhia front by an FPV drone, according to a statement from the Russian Volunteer Corps.
Denis Kapustin is reported killed in action on the Zaporizhzhia front by an FPV drone, according to a statement from the Russian Volunteer Corps.
November 2024 — 1 developments
Russian authorities issue a second in-absentia life sentence for Kapustin and four other RDK fighters in connection with the Bryansk incursion.
Russian authorities issue a second in-absentia life sentence for Kapustin and four other RDK fighters in connection with the Bryansk incursion.
March 2024 — 1 developments
The RDK, along with other anti-Kremlin Russian volunteer groups, claims further incursions into Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions.
The RDK, along with other anti-Kremlin Russian volunteer groups, claims further incursions into Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions.
November 2023 — 1 developments
Russia's 2nd Western District Military Court sentences Denis Kapustin in absentia to life imprisonme…
Russia'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.
May 2023 — 1 developments
The RDK, alongside other pro-Ukrainian Russian groups, conducts cross-border raids into Russia's Belgorod Oblast.
The RDK, alongside other pro-Ukrainian Russian groups, conducts cross-border raids into Russia's Belgorod Oblast.
April 2023 — 1 developments
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.
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.
March 2023 — 2 developments
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.
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.
The RDK claims responsibility for an armed incursion into Russia's Bryansk Oblast, which Russian authorities allege resulted in casualties and acts of terrorism.
The RDK claims responsibility for an armed incursion into Russia's Bryansk Oblast, which Russian authorities allege resulted in casualties and acts of terrorism.
August 2022 — 1 developments
Denis Kapustin (also known as Denis Nikitin or 'White Rex') founds the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK)…
Denis 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.