The commander of the Russian fighter jets that raided the Russian border area this week mentioned his group would quickly launch new incursions into Russian territory from Ukraine.
Denis Kapustin, who recognized himself because the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVK), spoke to reporters on the Ukrainian facet of the border with Russia on Wednesday, a day after Moscow mentioned it had repulsed an assault on Russia’s Belgorod area that had lasted practically 24 hours. watch. watch.
“I feel you will note us once more on the opposite facet,” mentioned Kapustin, a widely known far-right Russian nationalist who recognized himself as “White Rex” to reporters.
“The operation continues,” mentioned Moscow-born Kapustin, accompanied by about 30 fighters in camouflage uniforms.
“Every operation happening on the territory of Russia forces the army management to switch numerous forces to this specific sector, thereby exposing some sections of the entrance, sections of the border,” he mentioned.
“Our plans for the longer term embrace new territories of the Russian Federation, which we will certainly enter … You need to be a bit affected person and wait simply a few days.”
Accountability for the invasion on Monday and Tuesday was claimed by two armed teams working in Ukraine – Kapustin’s RVC and the allied Freedom of Russia Legion.
Kyiv mentioned it was not concerned within the assault, saying it was carried out by Russian anti-Putin forces in opposition to the Russian army.
Kapustin described his mission as preventing “injustice” and “torture” beneath Russian President Vladimir Putin to provoke different Russians into motion.
I need to show to them [Russians] that tyrants could be fought and that Putin’s energy isn’t limitless,” he mentioned.
The Ukrainian authorities “inspired us” however didn’t present weapons, tools or directions for this mission, Kapustin added.
The governor of the Belgorod area, Vyacheslav Gladkov, mentioned that two ladies have been killed and no less than 12 folks have been injured because of shelling throughout the border.
Native Russian media additionally reported on Thursday that about 500 homes have been broken within the assault, together with 200 destroyed. In accordance with media experiences, residents of Belgorod, who left their properties, haven’t but returned in some areas, because the authorities are working to establish and neutralize mines left on the streets and within the homes of the Grayvoronsky district of the area.
The Russian army mentioned it routed the raiders with artillery and air assaults that killed greater than 70 folks they referred to as “Ukrainian nationalists” in a sabotage mission designed to divert consideration from Russia’s advances within the bombed-out city of Bakhmut.
Kapustin reported that the full losses on his half have been two killed and 10 wounded.
And, in fact, our wounded have been acquired by the Ukrainian army. However something greater than that will complicate issues,” he mentioned, referring to Ukraine’s involvement in his operations.
Each choice we make… throughout nationwide borders, is our personal choice. Clearly we are able to ask our [Ukrainian] comrades, pals for assist in planning,” he mentioned.
Kapustin’s daring cross-border raid, labeled a “Russian neo-Nazi” by the U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League, has embarrassed the Kremlin but in addition raises questions in regards to the involvement of far-right Russian nationalists in Ukraine and the way it might have an effect on Western allies’ willingness to produce Kiev with weapons.
Kapustin admitted that his group is true. He was additionally requested if he had any objection to being branded a Nazi.
“I’ve my very own set of views, this can be a patriotic set of views, this can be a traditionalist set of views, this can be a right-wing set of views. You already know, you may by no means see me wave the swastika flag, you may by no means see me elevate my hand in Hitler’s signal. So why did you name me that?
When requested repeatedly about media experiences that his fighters used American army tools in a raid on Russian territory – tools offered to Ukraine to defend in opposition to a Russian invasion – Kapustin refused to reply instantly.
“I do know precisely the place I obtained my weapon from. Sadly, not from Western companions,” he mentioned. He advised that Western army tools was captured by Russia within the Battle of Bakhmut and that such tools might be purchased on the black market.
“I feel I defined that western army help sadly goes backwards and forwards being raided. In Bakhmut, for instance, I do know that quite a lot of armored autos, American armored autos, have been raided by Russian troops,” he mentioned.
U.S. officers mentioned Wednesday they’re wanting into experiences of U.S. autos being utilized in Russia.
The Kremlin mentioned using American army tools in a cross-border assault was indicative of the West’s rising involvement within the warfare.
It’s no secret that this system is used in opposition to our personal army. And it’s not a secret for us that the direct and oblique participation of Western nations on this battle is rising each day. We draw the suitable conclusions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised reporters.
Russian Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu vowed on Wednesday that Moscow would reply “extraordinarily harshly” to any new cross-border raids.
