Russian leader of anti-Putin force says expect more border raids

The Russian fighter commander who launched an attack on a Russian border area this week said his group would soon launch more raids into Russian territory from Ukraine.

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 on Wednesday, a day after Moscow said it repelled an attack on Russia’s Belgorod region that lasted nearly 24 months. hours lasted. o’clock.

“I think you’ll see us on that side again,” said Kapustin, who is known as a far-right Russian nationalist who introduced himself to reporters by his nickname White Rex.

“The operation is underway,” said Moscow-born Kapustin, flanked by some 30 combatants in camouflage.

“Any operation that takes place on the territory of Russia forces the military leadership to move a large number of troops exactly to that quadrant, exposing some parts of the front and parts of the border,” he said.

“Our future plans are new areas of the Russian Federation, which we will definitely enter… You have to be a little patient and wait a few days.”

Two armed groups operating in Ukraine — Kapustin’s RVC and the allied Freedom of Russia Legion — claimed responsibility for the raid on Monday and Tuesday.

Kiev said it was not involved in the attack, indicating it was carried out by Russian anti-Putin forces against the Russian military.

Kapustin described his mission as a fight against “injustice” and “torture” under Russian President Vladimir Putin, which aimed to spur other Russians into action.

“I want to prove them [Russians] that you can fight against tyrants and that Putin’s power is not limitless,” he said.

Ukrainian authorities “encouraged us” but did not provide weapons or equipment or instructions for this mission, Kapustin added.

Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that two women were killed and at least 12 injured in the cross-border attack.

Local Russian media also reported on Thursday that an estimated 500 homes were damaged in the attack, including 200 that were destroyed. Residents who had fled their homes in Belgorod have not yet returned in some areas, according to media reports, as authorities work to identify and secure mines left on the streets and in buildings in the region’s Grayvoron district.

The Russian military said it routed the raiders with artillery and airstrikes that killed more than 70 of what it described as “Ukrainian nationalists” in a sabotage mission designed to divert attention from Russian gains in the bombed-out city ​​of Bakhmut.

Kapustin said total losses on his side were two killed and ten wounded.

“And of course the Ukrainian army took our wounded. But more than this would make it difficult,” he said, referring to Ukraine’s involvement in its operations.

“Every decision we make… outside the state line is our own decision. Of course we can ask ours [Ukrainian] comrades, friends for their help in planning,” he said.

Described as “a Russian neo-Nazi” by the US-based Anti-Defamation League, Kapustin’s bold cross-border foray has embarrassed the Kremlin, but also raised questions about the involvement of far-right Russian nationalists in Ukraine and how it could affect are on Western allies’ willingness to supply Kiev with arms.

Kapustin admitted that his group was right-wing. He was also asked if he minded being labeled a Nazi.

“I have my views, it’s patriotic views, it’s traditionalist views, it’s right-wing views. You know, you’ll never see me waving a swastika flag, you’ll never see me raise my hand in a Hitler sign. So why would you call me that?”

Repeatedly asked about media reports that his fighters had used US military equipment in the attack on Russian territory – equipment provided to enable Ukraine to defend against the Russian invasion – Kapustin refused to answer directly.

“I know exactly where I got my guns from. Unfortunately not from the Western partners,’ he said. He suggested that Russia had captured Western military equipment during the Battle of Bakhmut and that such equipment could be bought on the black market.

“I think I explained that unfortunately Western military aid goes back and forth and is raided. For example, in Bakhmut, I know that many armored vehicles, American armored vehicles, have been raided by the Russian forces,” he said.

US officials said Wednesday they were investigating reports that US vehicles were being used on Russian soil.

The Kremlin said the use of US military hardware in the cross-border attack proved the West’s growing involvement in the war.

“It is no secret that this equipment is being used against our own military. And it is no secret to us that the direct and indirect involvement of Western countries in this conflict is increasing day by day. We are drawing the right conclusions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu promised on Wednesday that Moscow would respond “extremely harshly” to any new cross-border incursions.