Russian President Vladimir Putin paid half a million dollars to assassinate Denis Kapustin, a Russian rebel fighting for Ukraine. But the Russian leader was fooled. The Kremlin thought they had won when news spread that Kapustin died in a drone attack on December 27. Putin paid the $500,000 reward that Russian intelligence had offered, not knowing the money went straight to Ukraine.
However, the supposedly “eliminated” rebel leader reappeared very much alive on New Year’s Day, putting an abrupt end to weeks of speculation. In a video released by Ukraine’s military intelligence, Denis Kapustin was shown healthy and defiant, directly contradicting reports that he had been killed. According to The Sun, Ukrainian intelligence deliberately staged the 41-year-old’s death and successfully deceived Russian authorities.
Kapustin, better known by his nom de guerre “White Rex,” is the leader of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), a paramilitary group made up of Russian nationals fighting alongside Ukraine. The RVC has become a persistent thorn in the Kremlin’s side, repeatedly undermining Moscow’s claims of total control and security along its own borders.
Russia desperately wanted this commander dead for years
Russia had been hunting Kapustin for years before his fake death last week. Sources say Putin even called White Rex a “personal enemy.” Russian courts had sentenced the commander to life in prison twice, though he was not present at these trials.
The Russian Volunteer Corps itself announced his death on Telegram, saying they would get revenge. But Ukrainian intelligence chief General Kyrylo Budanov later congratulated Kapustin on coming back to life.
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) January 1, 2026
BREAKING: The commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, Denis Kapustin, survived a $500,000 Kremlin assassination plot after a month-long counter-op.
The money meant to kill him was redirected to support Ukraine’s fight. pic.twitter.com/ItZolB18er
Budanov smiled and said he was happy the money Russia paid for the assassination would now help Ukraine’s fight. This embarrassment adds to Putin’s recent threats to continue attacks despite international pressure.
Failure of Russian special services ― RVC commander Denis Kapustin is alive, and the half a million dollars received for his elimination will strengthen the special forces of the DI of Ukraine
— Russian Volunteer Corps | RVC | РДК (@rvc_army_eng) January 1, 2026
"Welcome back!" — Kirill Budanov congratulated Denis White Rexhttps://t.co/9AlSFpDd2y pic.twitter.com/KoArDcBnrT
The $500,000 bounty will now fund Ukraine’s intelligence work. Kapustin said his brief disappearance did not affect his group’s operations. He has now returned to fighting against Russia. General Budanov confirmed that Russian special services ordered Kapustin’s death, which Ukrainian spies then faked.
He said the commander is currently in Ukraine preparing for new missions. This embarrassing incident follows other Ukrainian victories against Russia, including a November attack that destroyed a Russian air defense system worth over $1.2 billion. The blunder shows how Russia continues making strategic mistakes in its ongoing conflict.
