Russian Volunteer Corps reports disappearance of deputy commander

The RVC published Fortuna’s statement on its social media channels on Sept. 1.

The unit immediately raised the alarm and contacted Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, and the State Bureau of Investigation after learning of Kaplunov’s apparent abduction, Fortuna said.

He said the RVC has yet to receive clear information about either Kaplunov’s whereabouts or any accusations that may have been brought against him.

The unit is fully engaged in the case and closely following developments, Fortuna said. Ukrainian ombudsmen have been informed and lawyers have also submitted inquiries, he added.

“Just a month ago, Stepan was decorated, and now he has been detained,” Fortuna said. “If Ukraine is a state governed by the rule of law, rather than a territory sliding into lawlessness and complete arbitrariness by security agencies, as is the case in the Russian Federation, this is simply unacceptable.”

Fortuna later told Suspilne that he had published the statement on his own initiative.

“This was my personal initiative as chief of staff and as Stepan Kaplunov’s friend,” he said. “We are united by our shared combat experience and our work in the Corps.”

Fortuna said he was concerned about Kaplunov’s fate and therefore decided to make the situation public himself.

RVC commander distances himself from statement

RVC commander Denys Kapustin, who also commented to Suspilne, said he did not approve of Fortuna’s decision to publicize the matter.

“The post on our channel was Oleksandr Fortuna’s personal initiative,” Kapustin said. “I understand him as a person and a fellow soldier, but because we operate within a strict military chain of command, I do not approve of his decision to go public.”

Kapustin called for people to wait for an official statement from special unit commander Timur and the relevant authorities.

He also urged senior leadership to provide an official comment on the situation.