The commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), Denis Kaputsin, was killed in combat in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. His unit confirmed the news on Saturday, stating that he died as a result of a drone strike while on the frontline. The RVC, a paramilitary group fighting against President Vladimir Putin’s forces, described Kaputsin as a hero who “died heroically during a combat mission.” They pledged to avenge his death, emphasizing that his legacy would endure.
Kaputsin, 41, also known as Denis Nikitin or “White Rex,” had been active in Ukraine since 2017. Originally from Moscow, his family moved to Germany when he was 17. His past involvement in football hooliganism and associated neo-Nazi views led to a ban from several European countries, a label he has disputed. With the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kaputsin played a pivotal role in establishing the elite Third Assault Brigade and later formed the RVC.
Building the Russian Volunteer Corps in mid-2022, Kaputsin vowed to “wage armed combat against the dictatorship of Putin and his entourage,” according to the corps’ official website. The militia gained notoriety for its cross-border operations into Russian villages, capturing numerous individuals and drawing strong condemnation from the Kremlin, which labeled them as “saboteurs” and “terrorists.”
In March 2023, after one of these incursions, Kaputsin was added to Russia’s registry of “terrorists and extremists,” as reported by the Moscow Times. Following his death, the RVC reiterated their commitment to fighting against the forces of Putin, stating, “His way of life as a warrior never diverged from his words. Denis was fearless and honest. He died during a combat trip as a man.”
The impact of Kaputsin’s death is being felt across both Ukraine and Russia, highlighting the ongoing conflict and the deep-seated divisions within Russian society. As the war continues, the RVC’s resolve may intensify in the wake of their leader’s passing, promising a continued struggle against the Kremlin’s military operations.
