Ukrainian Intelligence Outsmarts Russia with Fake Assassination Ruse

In a surprising twist in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian military intelligence has revealed that it staged the death of a high-ranking Russian commander fighting on Kyiv's side. This strategic ruse was designed to protect the commander from being targeted by Moscow and to uncover the masterminds behind a plot to eliminate him. On Thursday, the Chief of the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, Kyrylo Budanov, announced that the operation had successfully yielded vital information. The targeted figure, Denis Kapustin—also known as Denis Nikitin—leads the Russian Volunteer Corps and Timur Special Unit. Just a few days prior, there were announcements claiming he had been killed in action. In what became a dramatic revelation, Kapustin appeared via video link during a briefing alongside Budanov, disproving once and for all the claims of his assassination. According to Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR), his death was allegedly ordered by Russian special services that had offered a reward of $500,000 for his killing. "First of all, Mr. Denis, I want to congratulate you on returning to life. This is always a pleasure," Budanov said, as the video showcased Kapustin’s unexpected presence. He further mentioned that the money allocated for Kapustin’s assassination would now bolster Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russian aggression. While Kapustin has a controversial history linked to far-right extremism and football hooliganism, the information this operation produced is seen as a significant victory for Ukrainian intelligence. It exposed not only the individuals within Russian special services who were orchestrating the attack but also the broader network involved in targeting Ukrainian assets. On the same day, Ukrainian drones launched strikes against various energy and industrial facilities across several Russian regions, including Krasnodar, Tatarstan, and Kaluga. These attacks resulted in fires breaking out at significant sites such as the Ilskiy oil refinery in Krasnodar and several industrial properties in Tatarstan and Kaluga. The Ukrainian military confirmed their involvement in these strikes, marking a coordinated effort to disrupt Russian operations and logistics. Tensions continue to heighten as both nations accuse each other of targeting civilian sites. Recent reports from Russia indicated a deadly attack on a hotel in occupied southern Ukraine, a claim that Ukraine has vehemently denied, stating that it strictly adheres to targeting military and energy infrastructure. Furthermore, the Ukrainian governor of the Kherson region reported casualties from missiles striking the city, which killed one man and injured an elderly woman. A deputy prime minister from Ukraine also confirmed that railway facilities in three different regions were attacked. This ongoing conflict continues to evolve, driven by intelligence operations, strategic maneuvers, and the relentless quest for military dominance in the region. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2