The Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) and the Russian Freedom Legion presented themselves to Ukrainian and foreign media today, Wednesday.
A few dozen volunteer fighters participated in the press conference held on the Ukrainian side of the border. Most had covered their faces with scarves.
The event came just a day after Russia claimed to have repelled the attack and killed more than 70 fighters. The fighters denied the losses and reported only two lightly wounded fighters.
– Any crossing of the border of the Russian state and a successful return can be called a success, who presented himself as the commander of the Volunteer Corps (RDK) Denis Kapustin said.
According to him, the Russian Volunteer Forces and the Russian Freedom Legion have started an operation that includes several different phases. He warned Russia of new attacks in the near future.
– I believe that you will see us again on the other side of the border, Kapustin said, referring to Russia.
– I cannot reveal future events. I can’t reveal the direction. The border is quite long. But there is a point where there are hot spots.
Russia has blamed Ukraine for the Belgorod attack. Ukraine, on the other hand, has said that the perpetrators of the attack were Russian citizens and considered it an internal Russian matter.
Kapustin: I know exactly where my weapons come from
Reporters asked Kapustin several questions about whether his group uses US-made military equipment.
Russia has claimed to have destroyed US-made armored vehicles used by the Belgorod attackers. Also a newspaper New York Times has said based on pictures and videos uploaded to social media that there were three US vehicles in Belgorod. The newspaper says it has confirmed the authenticity of the photos.
The commander of the Russian volunteer forces, Denis Kapustin, did not deny the claims directly.
– I know exactly where my weapons come from. Unfortunately, not from Western partners, Kapustin said.
According to him, Russia has acquired Western military equipment in the battles of Bahmut in eastern Ukraine, and it can be bought on the black market.
– Western countries’ military aid unfortunately moves back and forth, and it is taken over. I know that in Bahmut, for example, Russian forces took over a lot of armored vehicles, American armored vehicles, Kapustin said.
White House Press Secretary John Kirby said today that the United States is investigating allegations of the use of its armored vehicles by Russia. He added that it has been made clear to Kiev that the United States does not want its military aid to be used to attack Russia across its borders.
Ukraine has said it had nothing to do with the attack.
Kapustin: Gasoline, food and medicine from Ukraine
Kapustin said his troops received information, gasoline, food and medicine from Ukraine. In addition, the Ukrainian army would have taken care of the wounded of the volunteer forces.
– Any other help would make things difficult, Kapustin said.
– Every decision we make on the other side of the border is our own, he assured.
According to Kapustin, the Russian volunteer forces consist of Russians fighting for Ukraine and the president Vladimir Putin against.
– Our plans for the future include new areas of the Russian Federation, where we plan to go…. You have to be a little patient and wait a few days, Kapustin said.
previously reported on Denis Kapustin as Denis Nikitin. He is a well-known extreme right-winger. Economic newspaper of the Financial Times according to Denis Kapustin/Nikitin is a notorious extremist thinker with close connections to neo-Nazis and supporters of white supremacy around the world.
Canadian online publication Vice describes him as a neo-Nazi, a hooligan and a free-lance fighter who is the “king of the free-lance scene” of the European far-right.
Updated on May 24 at 21:38 with a brief description of Denis Nikitin’s far-right background.
Sources: AFP, Reuters