With cross-border raids, militias aim to give Russian civilians a taste of the death and destruction that President Vladimir Putin’s war has wrought on Ukraine.
KYIV, Ukraine — The first cross-border raids were quick and furtive, the commander said, just a handful of fighters entering a village, scouting the terrain, taking a few shots at Russian border guards and slipping away. Later, they returned briefly to speak with villagers. Finally, he said, a large group carried out the main mission — killing dozens of enemy troops, taking others prisoner and stealing weapons.
Kapustin, 39, who also uses the name White Rex, is a former Moscow fight promoter with a history of violent extremism. In 2019, he was banned from Western Europe for rightist sports hooligan activities. Russia considers him a terrorist.Many members of the Russian Volunteer Corps have been fighting since 2014, when Russia invaded and illegally annexed Crimea. After Russia invaded Ukraine last year, the RVC formed an independent armed entity under Kapustin.
“We have now captured the strategic initiative from the enemy,” said Pavlo Lakiychuk, head of security programs at the Center for Global Studies Strategy XXI, a policy institute in Kyiv.Lakiychuk said that when Putin seized Crimea, he pretended there was no force involved. “Now those lies, that strategy have backfired. He has to decide whether to protect his own people in the north or occupy the south,” he said.
“We are not bandits or terrorists,” said Caesar, whom The Post is identifying only by his call sign for security reasons. “We are their liberators and we want to free Russia.” As for Putin, he said, “This time we have to cut off the head of the tyrant.” “We are in no way connected to the Ukrainian armed forces or political leadership,” Kapustin said. “Every attack on the territory of the Russian Federation is purely our decision.” He said that publicity from the border raids is also “opening more opportunities” for the militias inside Russia. “Step by step,” he said, “we will get more weapons and become a more serious presence.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Top Russian general killed in Ukraine missile strikeBritish officials have confirmed that a top Russian general died in a Ukrainian missile strike this week during Kyiv’s counteroffensive against occupying forces.
Consulte Mais informação »
'Hero to me': Kyiv's memory wall a reminder of losses in Ukraine-Russian conflictsKYIV, Ukraine — Yuri Pisarenko reaches high up on the Memory Wall of the Fallen Defenders of Ukraine, pulls down a faded portrait of his grandson and…
Consulte Mais informação »
'From Ukraine with love:' The elite night-time drone units bombing Russian military | CNNThe drone operation was green-lit after the Ukrainian military reported the presence of a launch site from where Russian forces were firing Kornet rockets, missiles intended for use against tanks, towards their troops.
Consulte Mais informação »
Russian state TV guest says country invaded Ukraine to avoid warPolitical scientist Sergei Markov was responding to comments Hillary Clinton made on the Pod Save America podcast.
Consulte Mais informação »
Russian missile kills two in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, governor saysKharkiv regional governor Oleh Synehubov revised the death toll from a Russian missile strike on a small Ukrainian village in the east to two people on Saturday.
Consulte Mais informação »