Ukrainian Intelligence Stages Death of Russian Commander to Thwart Assassination Plot

In a daring maneuver, Ukraine recently staged the death of a high-ranking Russian commander involved in fighting alongside its forces, aiming to prevent his assassination ordered by Moscow. This strategic deception, as announced by Ukrainian military intelligence, also helped uncover those behind the plot and even led to capturing a substantial $500,000 Russian bounty for his purported killing.

Operation Details Unveiled

The Ukrainian GUR military intelligence unit publicly revealed that Denis Kapustin, better known as Denis Nikitin, the leader of the Russian Volunteer Corps and the “Timur Special Unit,” was falsely reported killed on the battlefield last Saturday. However, on Thursday, he made a surprise appearance via video link during a briefing with Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence.

Revealing the Assassination Plot

During the briefing, both the GUR and the Timur unit disclosed that Kapustin’s supposed assassination had been ordered by Russian special services, who had offered a hefty sum to carry out the act. They stated, “As a result of a comprehensive special operation, his life was preserved, and we identified those involved: the masterminds in the Russian special services and the executioners.”

Funding from Russian Intelligence

The Timur unit added that they had also received the same funds earmarked by Russian intelligence agencies for the planned assassination. In a light-hearted moment captured on video, Budanov congratulated Kapustin, saying, “First of all, Mr. Denis, I congratulate you on returning to life. This is always a pleasure. I’m glad that the funds received from ordering your liquidation went to help our fight.”

A Controversial Figure

Denis Kapustin’s background is controversial, with ties to far-right groups and football hooliganism, and some members of his unit have been known to express neo-Nazi sentiments, adding further complexity to his involvement in the conflict.

Recent Military Engagements

Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate as Ukrainian drones targeted energy and industrial sites across various Russian regions, including Krasnodar, Tatarstan, and Kaluga. Local officials reported that these attacks sparked fires at the Ilskiy oil refinery in Krasnodar, an energy storage facility in Almetyevsk, and an industrial site in Lyudinovo, all confirmed by the Ukrainian military.

Civilians Caught in the Crossfire

As hostilities escalate, both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of targeting civilian areas. Recently, Moscow reported a fatal strike on a hotel located in its occupied territory in southern Ukraine, while Ukraine insists its strikes are aimed solely at military and energy targets. Ukrainian Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on Thursday that a man had died and an 87-year-old woman was injured due to strikes in the city, with additional rail facilities being attacked in three regions as stated by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba.

Conclusion

The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia remains fraught with tension and tactical ingenuity. Ukrainian intelligence has employed unexpected strategies like deceiving the enemy to protect their own. As the situation continues to evolve, the impacts on both military and civilian life are significant, underscoring the complexities of modern warfare.

• Ukraine staged a faux death of a high-ranking Russian commander to prevent his assassination.
• A $500,000 Russian bounty was revealed as part of the assassination plot.
• The conflict has seen increasing drone attacks targeting Russian industrial sites.
• Accusations of civilian targeting have intensified from both sides amid the ongoing fighting.