The War Museum hosted the opening of the exhibition project “RVC: Scales of Fate,” dedicated to the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) of the “Tymur Special Unit” of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR MOU). The Corps consists of russian citizens who, during the full-scale invasion, united to defend Ukraine against the aggressor.
In his opening remarks, the Director General of the Museum, Yurii Savchuk, shared memories of when and how the idea for a joint project between the RVC soldiers and our institution first emerged. It happened during the premiere of a film detailing the Corps’ operation to liberate the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant. The screening, also held at the Museum, evoked a wave of genuine emotion from the audience.
Mr. Savchuk emphasized that exhibitions featuring separate units of foreign citizens within the Armed Forces of Ukraine are a priority for the Museum, as they demonstrate the gratitude of Ukrainians for the sacrifices made by volunteers defending Ukraine. The “RVC: Scales of Fate” project stands alongside such exhibitions as “Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment” (about Belarusian volunteers) and “FOR FREEDOM” (about foreign fighters from around the world on the fronts of the russo-Ukrainian War). “Side by side in a single formation, the Russian Volunteer Corps fights to defend Ukraine, freedom, liberty, and democracy, combating the tyrannical regime of vladimir putin,” the Museum head underscored.
The founder and commander of the RVC, Denys “White Rex” Kapustin, spoke about the exhibits on display: these include “death letters” — messages to loved ones left by soldiers in the event of their death; portraits created in memory of every fallen volunteer; unique footage from a secret HUR operation; and other rare artifacts. The exhibition encompasses the entire history of the Russian Volunteer Corps and is dedicated to the bravery of its fighters. “Implementing such a project within the walls of a national museum requires significant courage,” Denys Kapustin noted.
“We have gathered in a space of memory regarding the Second World War. Today, we live in a time when freedom has ceased to be an abstract word. Ukrainians have defended their freedom and continue to do so with weapons in hand. For Russian volunteers, Ukraine has become a beacon. We made our choice - we chose freedom and the struggle against a tyrant,” stated Oleksii Lovkin, head of the Standard-bearer Service, in an emotional speech.
Roman Popkov, a representative of the RVS media service, elaborated on the symbolism of the exhibition’s centerpiece: a set of scales with russian passports on one side and Ukrainian combat awards on the other. Every volunteer of the Corps made a fateful choice - to reject the shackles of their state and choose the side of freedom. “The day will come when we return light to our homeland occupied by tyranny,” he concluded.
The “RVC: Scales of Fate” project is about the courage to be true to oneself. It is about dignity that knows no borders. About a choice measured not in words, but in deeds. It is about personal responsibility and how, at a decisive moment, a person steps onto the scales of their own history.
The exhibition will continue at the War Museum, inviting everyone to experience history as it is being made right now.
