Russia Paid $500,000 to Kill RDK Commander Denis Kapustin—Ukraine Turned It Into a Trap

The commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), Denis “WhiteRex” Kapustin, is alive, Ukrainian military intelligence has confirmed—revealing that reports of his death were part of a deliberate counterintelligence operation designed to expose and neutralize a Russian assassination plot, according to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) on January 1.

The head of HUR, Kyrylo Budanov, disclosed that Russian special services had ordered Kapustin’s killing and allocated $500,000 to carry out the operation. Instead, Ukrainian intelligence staged Kapustin’s death, preserved his life, and identified both the handlers and executors involved in the plot.

The announcement follows a statement issued on December 27, 2025, when the RDK publicly claimed its commander had been killed—an assertion now confirmed to have been part of a month-long intelligence operation.

“The assassination of Denis Kapustin, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps fighting against Moscow as part of the HUR’s Timur Special Unit, was ordered by the special services of the aggressor state of Russia, which allocated half a million dollars to carry out the crime,” Ukraine’s military intelligence said.

According to HUR, the operation lasted more than a month and culminated in a full intelligence reversal.

“As a result of a comprehensive special operation by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the life of RDK commander Denis Kapustin was saved,” the agency said, adding that Kapustin is viewed by the Russian leader as a personal enemy.

The commander of the Timur Special Unit reported directly to Budanov that Ukrainian intelligence not only protected Kapustin but also obtained the funds allocated for his assassination.

“Our side also received the corresponding sum of money allocated by Russian special services to carry out this crime. As of now, the RDK commander is on the territory of Ukraine and is preparing to continue fulfilling assigned tasks,” the unit commander said.

Budanov personally addressed Kapustin during a video link following the operation.

“First of all, Mr. Denis, welcome back to life. That is always pleasant. I am glad that the funds obtained for ordering your liquidation went toward supporting our struggle. I wish all of us—and you personally—success,” Budanov said.

Kapustin confirmed that the staged operation did not disrupt combat effectiveness and said he is ready to resume command.

“My temporary absence did not affect the quality or success of combat task execution. I am ready to move to the area of operations and continue commanding the RDK,” Kapustin said.

Ukraine’s military intelligence described the outcome as a major failure for Russian special services, emphasizing that the attempted assassination not only failed but also strengthened Ukrainian special units instead.

Budanov concluded by thanking the Timur Special Unit and the broader intelligence team for what he called an exceptionally executed operation.

Earlier, fighters from the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), a unit of Russian nationals fighting on Ukraine’s side, received new Katran sea surface drones designed to launch aerial attack drones.

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