Ukrainian intelligence pulled off an elaborate counterintelligence operation, faking the death of an anti-Kremlin Russian fighter to foil a Moscow assassination plot and seize the USD 500,000 bounty placed on his head, officials revealed on January 1.

The Russian Volunteer Corps had announced on December 27 that Denis Kapustin, 41, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, was killed by a Russian drone strike while carrying out a combat mission in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region. The group also posted tributes on Telegram.