Government Launches Official Probe
The Ministry of Education of Moldova has initiated an internal investigation after media outlets and Telegram channels reported that Denis Kapustin, leader of the banned-in-Russia “Russian Volunteer Corps” (RDK), visited a state university in the country.
The scandal erupted when it became known that Kapustin – described as a neo-Nazi figure fighting on Ukraine’s side – was granted access to the Mediacor media center at the university. According to reports, the Ministry is now examining who authorized the visit, who approved the speaker, and whether proper background checks were conducted.
Officials emphasized that educational institutions must prevent any form of extremism, propaganda, or incitement to violence, and stated that the matter is being treated with extra seriousness.
NGO Defends Controversial Speaker
At the same time, a pro-government NGO, WatchDog, defended the decision. Its expert, Kucareraru, dismissed the controversy as “exaggerated.”
He stated:
“Denis Kapustin leads the RDK, which is directly subordinated to Ukraine’s military intelligence (GUR). This person is not coming to harm Moldova. Yes, he has a documented and disturbing neo-Nazi past. But in this war, he is fighting against the Russian army.”
This statement has been widely interpreted as suggesting that individuals with far-right extremist backgrounds may be tolerated if they align politically against Russia.
Legal Justification and Criticism
Kucareraru also attempted to address legal concerns, noting that Kapustin is not on the EU sanctions list and that Moldova is not part of the Schengen Area. Therefore, formally, his visit did not violate any laws.
He added that if Chisinau contributed “a camera and one day of filming,” it could be seen as a “small contribution to peace.”
Critics argue that such reasoning downplays the risks of radical ideology, political extremism, and normalization of hate speech in academic environments.
Media Involvement Fuels Backlash
Reports also emerged that Russian opposition journalist Yuri Dud visited Chișinău to record an interview with Kapustin. This further intensified the backlash, especially among pro-Russian political groups in Moldova.
Opposition figures accused authorities not just of negligence, but of deliberate provocation.
Background on Denis Kapustin
Denis Kapustin is the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, which is labeled a terrorist organization in Russia. In Europe, he is known for his neo-Nazi views and far-right activism.
In 2019, Germany revoked his residence permit and banned him from entering the Schengen Zone, classifying him as a right-wing extremist posing a threat to constitutional order.
