Ukraine cleverly staged the assassination of a Russian dissident allied with its military, cleverly deceiving Moscow into disbursing a $500,000 bounty, which Kyiv then redirected to support its war endeavors.

The target of this alleged December 27 assassination was Denis Kapustin, more widely recognized as “White Rex,” who leads the right-wing Russian Volunteer Corps. This group is committed to toppling Vladimir Putin, as reported by Metro UK.

Contrary to claims by Ukraine’s Armed Forces last week, Kapustin remains alive, despite reports of his demise by an FPV drone attack in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

Kapustin, under his alias “White Rex,” was initially announced dead due to a drone strike, a claim that has since been debunked. (East2West)

The Russian Volunteer Corps expressed their grief on Telegram, stating, “We will definitely avenge you, Denis. Your legacy lives on.”

On Thursday, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) unveiled that this was a strategic operation to safeguard Kapustin’s life while simultaneously securing a $500,000 reward.

Denis Kapustin, also known by his pseudonym “White Rex,” appeared in a video announcing he was alive after Ukraine reportedly orchestrated a ruse to fool Russia.  (East2West)

“Welcome back to life,” HUR General Kyrylo Budanov, who heads Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, said while congratulating Kapustin and his team on a successful intelligence operation, News.com.au, an Australian news website, reported. 

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kapustin founded the RVC to fight alongside the Ukrainian army.

A drone headed toward a vehicle as part of a ruse to fool Russia into thinking Denis Kapustin was killed.  (East2West)

The group, which was banned in Russia as a terrorist organization, was known for staging cross-border attacks in Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions. He had twice been sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment by kangaroo courts in Russia, The Sun reported. 

A still image from a reported drone blast that killed one of Russia’s biggest enemies.  (East2West)

In March 2024, the RVC stormed into Russia and clashed with security forces before capturing Russian soldiers.

Ukraine and Russia are in the middle of peace talks mediated by President Donald Trump. The deal is close, but Ukrainian leaders have said the sticking point remains the issue of disputed territories.