A recent operation by Ukrainian intelligence led to a significant embarrassment for Russia’s secret services, resulting in a payment of nearly $500,000 for a fictitious assassination attempt on a prominent enemy of President Vladimir Putin. The incident involved a fabricated video that falsely depicted a drone strike targeting Denis Kapustin, the leader of the pro-Ukrainian Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC).
In the staged footage, a drone appears to approach Kapustin, followed by a second video that shows a minibus associated with him engulfed in flames, suggesting a successful strike. Ukrainian intelligence seized the opportunity to announce his assassination, further claiming it was carried out by Russian forces. The deception was so convincing that it led to celebrations within the Kremlin, which believed they had successfully eliminated a key adversary.
However, the jubilation quickly turned to shock on March 15, 2024, when Kapustin publicly revealed that he was alive and unharmed. This revelation came during a video appearance alongside Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the GUR military intelligence. Together, they disclosed that the assassination plot had been a complete ruse orchestrated by Ukrainian operatives who had successfully misled Russian authorities.
Budanov confirmed that the elaborate scheme was a failure of Russian intelligence, stating, “[His murder was] ordered by special services of the aggressor state Russia, which allocated $500,000 for it.” The funds, intended for Kapustin’s elimination, are now earmarked to support Ukrainian military operations.
Further emphasizing the operation’s success, Budanov noted, “As of now, the RVC commander is on the territory of Ukraine and is preparing to carry out assigned attacks.” Kapustin, who has faced life imprisonment in absentia from Russian courts, expressed that his temporary absence had not hindered the RVC’s ongoing efforts against Russian aggression.
The fallout from this incident underscores the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with intelligence operations playing a crucial role in the conflict. Budanov, who has been recognized for his strategic insights throughout the war, was recently promoted to a senior position in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, marking a new chapter in his career.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of this intelligence victory are likely to resonate within both military and political spheres, further shaping the dynamics of the ongoing conflict. The audacious nature of the operation highlights the lengths to which Ukrainian intelligence will go to outmaneuver their adversaries, while also bringing to light the vulnerabilities within Russian intelligence operations.
