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Belgorod: Russian paramilitary group vows more incursions
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RBK commander Denis Kapustin said the cross-border raid was a success

By Smartencyclopedia *

The leader of the Russian paramilitary group responsible for a cross-border raid from Ukraine into Russia has pledged to carry out more similar incursions. Denis Kapustin, head of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), stated that his group would return to the Russian side, indicating a continuation of their activities. Russia claims to have repelled the raid and killed over 70 saboteurs, with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warning of a “harsh response” to any future incursions. Ukraine denies any involvement in the raid.

Kapustin, also known as White Rex, made the remarks during a press briefing on the Ukrainian side of the border. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the raid, stating that his group had managed to seize weapons, including an armored personnel carrier, and take prisoners during the operation. He denied the Russian military’s claims of heavy casualties among the saboteurs and stated that only two RBK fighters were injured. The Liberty of Russia Legion (LSR), another group involved in the raid, reported two fighters killed and ten injured.

It is important to note that the casualty claims from both sides have not been independently verified. Russia portrays the RDK and LSR as Ukrainian militants, while Kyiv asserts that they belong to two anti-Kremlin paramilitary organizations. Both groups share the objective of dismantling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime and have been associated with an international legion involved in Ukraine’s territorial defense.

Kapustin dismissed reports of his fighters using weapons supplied by Western allies to Ukraine for its defense against Russia’s invasion. He stated that Ukraine only provided support to the RDK in the form of medical supplies, fuel, and food. The RDK gained attention in March 2023 when it participated in a cross-border raid in Russia’s Bryansk region, involving 45 individuals.

Denis Kapustin is known for his Russian nationalist views, and the group openly advocates for a mono-ethnic Russian state. When questioned about the presence of alleged neo-Nazis within the group, Kapustin responded that it is a matter of perception and described himself as having “traditionalist” and “patriotic” beliefs. In the past, he has acknowledged his involvement in a movement of football hooligans, and there have been allegations linking him to neo-Nazi groups.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu briefed military officials on Moscow’s response to the Belgorod raid. He claimed that “more than 70 Ukrainian nationalists” were killed, and the rest were pushed back into Ukraine. Shoigu declared that Russia would continue to respond promptly and harshly to such actions by Ukrainian militants. Moscow reported several civilian injuries during the incursion and presented pictures of destroyed US vehicles allegedly found at the scene. However, some Ukrainian military experts and bloggers have raised doubts about the authenticity of the images, suggesting that they may have been staged.

The United States expressed skepticism about reports of US-supplied weapons being used in the raid and emphasized that it did not support or enable strikes inside Russia. Nevertheless, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cited the vehicles as evidence of increasing Western military involvement in Ukraine, claiming that the equipment was being used against Russian forces. Peskov stated that Russia was drawing appropriate conclusions in response.

Following the raid, Moscow declared a counter-terrorism operation, granting special powers to authorities to restrict communications and movements of individuals. These measures were lifted the following day. Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported drone attacks during the night following the raid, which were largely countered by air defenses but resulted in some damage to vehicles, private residences, and administrative buildings.

Source: With Agencies (BBC)

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