The second life of Commander Kapustin: How Ukrainian intelligence deceived Moscow

"But Kapustin was resurrected on January 1: his death was a fabrication by the Ukrainian intelligence services (GUR) to expose an operation by Moscow's secret services. Congratulations, Denis Kapustin, on your return to life. This was how Kyrylo Budanov, head of the GUR, greeted him on January 1 in a video conference that was made public as proof that he was alive. It's always a pleasure to greet you. The money used to assassinate you will go toward supporting our struggle, Budanov added."

"The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU, responsible for intelligence operations along with the GUR) regularly presents cases of how the enemy recruits Ukrainians to carry out sabotage or transmit information about the location of military units. The most common method is through Telegram channels where pro-Russian sympathizers or those with financial difficulties make contact. Once the task is completed, they are paid, in most cases, in cryptocurrency."

Denis Kapustin, a 41-year-old Russian far-right opponent of Vladimir Putin and commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, was reported killed on December 27 in Zaporizhzhia by a drone strike. His battalion and the Ukrainian army initially announced the death. Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR) later revealed the death was fabricated to expose an operation by Moscow's secret services. GUR head Kyrylo Budanov greeted Kapustin in a January 1 video conference presented as proof that he was alive. The Timur Special Unit required a month of preparation to convince Russian intelligence it was contacting collaborators. The operation used recruitment methods involving Telegram channels and cryptocurrency payments, secured a promised $500,000 for the staged assassination, and helped identify Russian agents operating inside Ukraine.

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