Leader of cross-border raid warns Russia to expect more incursions
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Russian Volunteer Corps leader Denis Kapustin (centre) meets the media not far from the Ukraine-Russia border, in Ukraine's Kharkiv region.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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NEAR THE RUSSIAN BORDER, Ukraine - The Russian commander of a militia that conducted a raid on a Russian border region
Mr Denis Kapustin, who described himself as the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), spoke to reporters on the Ukrainian side of the border with Russia, a day after Moscow said it had repelled the raid on the Belgorod region.
Kyiv has said the attack was carried out by Russian citizens, casting it as home-grown, internal Russian strife.
Two groups operating in Ukraine – the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) and Freedom of Russia Legion – have claimed responsibility.
The Russian military said it had routed the militants, who carried out their attack using armoured vehicles, and pushed those who survived back into Ukraine.
Mr Kapustin said two of his fighters had been “lightly wounded”, and that total losses on his side for the operation were two killed and 10 wounded.
Moscow claimed it killed over 70 “Ukrainian nationalists”.
Mr Kapustin also said the fighters had taken a Russian armoured vehicle and anti-drone gun as trophies.
“I think you will see us again on that side,” said Mr Kapustin, who introduced himself by his call-sign White Rex.
“I cannot reveal those upcoming things, I cannot even reveal the direction. The... border is pretty long. Yet again, there will be a spot where things will get hot.”
He was asked repeatedly about Western media reports that his militia had used United States military equipment that was meant to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s invasion, but he declined to answer directly.
“I know exactly where I got my weapons from. Unfortunately, not from the Western partners,” he said.
Members of the Free Russia Legion and Russian Volunteer Corps posing for reporters during a media event in Ukraine.
PHOTO: NYTIMES
He also suggested that Western military equipment had been captured by Russia in the battle for Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, and that such equipment could be bought on the black market.
“I think I explained that the Western military aid unfortunately goes back and forth, being raided. In Bakhmut for instance I know that a lot of armoured vehicles, American armoured vehicles, got raided by the Russian forces,” he said.
Mr Kapustin said Ukraine supported the RVC with only information, petrol, food and medicine.
“And, of course, the Ukrainian military took our wounded. But anything more than this would make things difficult.”
“Every decision we make... beyond the state border is our own decision. Obviously, we can ask our (Ukrainian) comrades, friends for their assistance in planning,” he added.
The RVC said it is made up of Russians fighting for Ukraine, and against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Our future plans are new territories of the Russian Federation, which we will definitely enter... You should be a just a little bit patient, and wait just a couple of days,” said Mr Kapustin.
The US-based Anti-Defamation League has described Mr Kapustin as “a Russian neo-Nazi who lived in Germany for many years”.
Mr Kapustin said his group was right wing, and when asked if he minded being labelled a Nazi, he said he did not “think it’s an insult”.
But he added: “I have my set of views, it’s a patriotic set of views, it’s a traditionalist set of views, it’s a right-wing set of views. You know, you’ll never find me waving a flag with a swastika, you’ll never find me raising my hand in a Hitler sign. So why would you call me that?” REUTERS
