Russian Volunteer Corps

Russian Volunteer Corps
Русский добровольческий корпус
LeadersDenis "White Rex" Kapustin
Dates of operation22 August 2022 – present
Allegiance Ukraine
Ideology
Political positionRight-wing to far-right
Notable attacks2023 Bryansk Oblast raid
Allies Ukraine

Karelian National Movement

Opponents Russia
Battles and wars
Designated as a terrorist group byRussia
Flag
Websiterusvolcorps.com

The Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC; Russian: Русский добровольческий корпус, РДК, romanizedRusskiy dobrovolcheskiy korpus, RDK) is a far-right paramilitary force composed of Russian citizens, based in Ukraine. It was formed in August 2022 after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine to fight against the government of Vladimir Putin. The group reportedly consists of Russian emigrants who are primarily united by their opposition to Putin. The RVC is subordinated to the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine and was initially part of the International Legion of Ukraine.

Assessments of the ideology of this group vary from white nationalist to neo-Nazi. The RVC stated that they maintain right-wing conservative views and reject extremist labels. Their founder and leader is Denis Kapustin, a neo-Nazi who in 2019 was banned from the Schengen Area.

The group claimed responsibility for a March 2023 raid into the Bryansk Oblast of Russia. Since May 2023, it has been launching larger cross-border raids into the Belgorod Oblast of Russia, alongside the Freedom of Russia Legion.