Russian Volunteer Corps says its deputy commander was abducted in Ukraine

The Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), a unit fighting on Ukraine's side, has reported that several days ago unidentified individuals abducted its deputy commander for combat operations, Stepan Kaplunov, in the yard of his own home. The statement was made by RDK chief of staff Oleksandr Fortuna.

According to Fortuna, as soon as the abduction became known, the organization raised the alarm and contacted Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), the Security Service (SBU) and the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR). He said that so far no clear information has been received about either Kaplunov's whereabouts or any charges against him.

Ombudsman notified

Fortuna added that the situation has also been reported to the ombudsman, and requests have been sent out to lawyers.

Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation confirmed that it had received a corresponding submission from the fighter's lawyers. DBR communications adviser Tetiana Sapian said investigators are currently reviewing the submission to determine whether it should be entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations.

Background

On 27 December 2025, the RDK reported that its commander Denys Kapustin, known by the call sign WhiteRex, had been killed while carrying out a combat mission on the Zaporizhzhia front. It later emerged that the report of Kapustin's death had been part of a special operation by Ukraine's Defence Ministry intelligence directorate, and that Kapustin was in fact alive.