Video Statement from Denis Kapustin
Denis Kapustin, the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), has released a video message directed at the citizens of the Russian Federation. He recorded it against the backdrop of a nine-story residential building in Kyiv's Darnytskyi district, whose entrance was obliterated by a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile on May 14. In his address, Kapustin argued that retaliatory strikes on Russian territory are a direct consequence of the Russian military's own actions.
The May 14 Attack: Aftermath and Reactions
The assault on May 14 involved a massive combined strike that damaged nine districts of the capital. Russian forces deployed ballistic missiles and drones in the attack. The death toll stands at 24 people, including three children, while 48 Kyiv residents were wounded. Among those killed in the destroyed entrance were sisters Vera and Lyubava Yakovleva, as well as 15-year-old Maria, a ninth-grade student from Lyceum No. 237, who died alongside her father and grandmother.
Kapustin emphasized that the building behind him stands as 'vivid evidence of that very aggression.' He stressed that the missile struck an ordinary residential building with no military targets, directly contradicting Russian propaganda claims.
'Women and children were killed,' he stated.
Kyiv declared a day of mourning on May 15 to honor the victims. On May 19, a funeral service was held at the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery for sisters Vera and Lyubava Yakovleva, daughters of fallen Ukrainian defender Yevhen Yakovlev. Kapustin also noted that following this strike, hundreds of drones were launched from Ukraine into Russia, sparking outrage among Kyiv residents.
'Unfortunately, only escalation of this conflict awaits us,' he added, underscoring that Ukraine will respond to every Russian attack.
This tragic event has dealt a severe blow to Kyiv, highlighting the immense humanitarian toll and consequences of war. Kapustin's remarks, focusing on indiscriminate attacks against civilian infrastructure, illustrate the heightened tensions and potential for further escalation. The number of casualties and the scale of destruction in Kyiv have raised alarm both within Ukraine and internationally, as they underscore the ongoing threat to civilian populations amid the conflict.
As the conflict escalates, the recent incident highlights the devastating impact of drone warfare in the region. In a related event, Kyiv experienced an unprecedented attack involving 1,560 drones, resulting in casualties and destruction. For a deeper understanding of this alarming trend and its implications for both sides, read more about the drone strikes on Kyiv.