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Russian General Accused of Blowing Up Ukrainian Kakhovka Dam Now Training Venezuela’s Military
A Russian general accused of overseeing the destruction of Ukraine’s Nova Kakhovka dam is now heading a Russian military advisory mission in Venezuela, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
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Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR), told The War Zone that Colonel General Oleg Makarevich is currently stationed in Venezuela with more than 120 Russian troops.
Makarevich, who commands the Russian Ministry of Defense’s so-called Equator Task Force, is overseeing the training of Venezuelan forces in areas ranging from infantry tactics and drone operations to reconnaissance and communications.
He previously served as a senior Russian commander during the full‑scale invasion, and Ukrainian authorities say his order to destroy the Nova Kakhovka dam in June 2023 triggered large‑scale flooding, caused significant environmental damage, and resulted in multiple civilian deaths.
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“They are military advisors and also teachers,” Budanov said. “In general, it’s infantry, UAV and special forces training.”
Long-term Russian presence
According to Budanov, Russia’s deployment in Venezuela is part of a long-standing rotation and is not a direct response to the recent US military buildup in the Caribbean. He noted that Makarevich has been in Venezuela since early 2025 and that his deployment was extended beyond the usual six-month rotation.
A document shared by HUR with The War Zone reportedly outlines how Russian personnel are providing training across several domains and assessing Venezuela’s combat capabilities, including armored vehicles, artillery, aircraft, drones, and military working dogs.
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The document also alleges that Russian advisors are assisting Venezuela in monitoring both domestic groups and foreign governments.
Makarevich and approximately 90 Russian personnel are based in Caracas, with the remainder deployed to facilities in Maracaibo, La Guaira, and Aves Island.
Accusations tied to Russia’s war in Ukraine
Makarevich previously served as commander of the Russian “Dnepr” military grouping during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian intelligence alleges that he was responsible for organizing the June 2023 explosion of the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric dam in southern Ukraine—a breach that caused extensive flooding and damage across the region.
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Budanov emphasized that Russia’s military presence in Venezuela is likely to persist even if the US adopts a more aggressive stance in the region. “I think they will be behind the scenes and officially Russia will try to speak to the US because their units are in Venezuela,” he told The War Zone. “It’s just a game.”
Potential arms transfers
The possibility of expanded Russian arms deliveries to Venezuela also remains a concern. According to The War Zone, Alexei Zhuravlev, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma’s Defense Committee, recently claimed Moscow had provided Buk-M2E and Pantsir-S1 air defense systems to Caracas.
Budanov said Ukrainian intelligence had confirmed the presence of the Buk-M2, but not the Pantsir. Zhuravlev also hinted at the potential supply of long-range cruise missiles and Iranian-origin Shahed drones to Venezuela.
The War Zone has not independently verified the authenticity of the documents shared by HUR or the full extent of Russia’s mission in Venezuela. Requests for comment were sent to the White House, the Pentagon, and US Southern Command but had not received responses at the time of publication.
Earlier, a sanctioned Russian oil tanker attempting to deliver fuel to Venezuela was repeatedly forced to turn back after the USS Stockdale blocked its path off the Venezuelan coast, Bloomberg reported on November 21. The tanker, Seahorse, part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” reversed course multiple times and now remains stationary in the Caribbean.
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